Wetland degradation in Jinja District

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to find out the causes of wetland degradation in Jinja District, Uganda. The study covered the awareness of the people on wetlands; the values of the ecosystems; and the impacts of wetland’ degradation, so as to come up with strategies for better management and conservation of the Lake Victoria wetlands. This study found that wetland degradation was attributed to by anthropogenic factors including industrial pollution, over-harvesting, dumping, introduction of invasive species, deforestation, sedimentation and increased human population. However, pollution was the highest (27%), agriculture being the second as others follow. A total number of 160 respondents were randomly and purposively sampled. Data were collected using questionnaires, interview and literature review. The data collected were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Ver.ll.5) and presented in frequencies and percentages in various graphs. The study recommended some measures to be put in place Among the proposed measures include to equip the environmental planners with facilities and resources such as finance and to monitor the ecosystems and various activities taking place around it, use of laws and further research to quantify and distinguish between the contributions of the major causes of wetland degradation (of Lake Victoria) to its present was recommended. Public awareness through education by trained officers to the local people should be done to achieve the best of wetland management and sustainable use of resources.