The Ugandan government has gazetted the wetlands of Kampala to safeguard the sites from encroachment by the urban population. The National Environment Management Authority (nema) has decided that people who trespass on wetlands would be punished. Aryamnaya Mugisha, executive director of nema, said: "Under the 1997 land act of the country, individuals have to manage wetlands even if they have a land title." The government plans to establish protected wetlands and use other areas for partial exploration. The Kampala City Council is also developing a drainage master plan, which would serve as a blueprint for wetland management. Meanwhile, people are being educated on the benefits of wetlands.
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