WETLAND DEGRADATION IN JINJA DISTRICT; A CASE STUDY OF LAKE VICTORIA, UGANDA

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.