In a dramatic confrontation, Uganda Police deployed tear gas to halt Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi's visit to the controversial Lubigi wetland site, sparking debate over government double standards in environmental policy enforcement.
Tensions soared on Monday morning as Uganda Police used tear gas to disperse Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Joel Ssenyonyi, during his planned visit to the Lubigi wetland site. Ssenyonyi aimed to assess the aftermath of the recent evictions conducted by the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), which targeted residents accused of illegally occupying the wetlands.
Last week, NEMA evicted numerous residents from the Lubigi wetland, citing illegal occupation. However, Ssenyonyi's visit aimed to uncover what he describes as selective enforcement by the authorities. Amid heavy police presence, Ssenyonyi engaged with local residents who shared their grievances about the evictions.
"There are known wetlands in Uganda that are full of factories; these ones aren’t being bothered,” Ssenyonyi remarked,
Highlighting the perceived inconsistency in NEMA's actions. He speculated that businesses remaining in the wetlands might have connections to government officials, a suspicion that resonates with many Ugandans frustrated by ongoing impunity and corruption.
During his visit, Ssenyonyi faced a significant police blockade. After addressing the residents, he attempted to access the wreckage site, resulting in a tense standoff with the police.
Despite the verbal exchanges, Ssenyonyi was determined to proceed, which led the police to deploy tear gas to disperse him and the accompanying crowd.
"This tear gas deployment is a blatant abuse of power," Ssenyonyi stated amidst the chaos. "The government is more interested in protecting its interests than in ensuring justice for its citizens."
The affected residents echoed Ssenyonyi’s concerns, questioning the government's motives behind allowing them to occupy the wetland for years before suddenly evicting them.
“But you spent all this time and constructed when the government was watching. And some of you established businesses within these premises and have been paying taxes,” Ssenyonyi told the locals.
“So if the government says these people have occupied these premises illegally, why leave them to build and stay for this long and collect taxes from businesses
established on illegal premises?”
Ssenyonyi’s visit has reignited calls for accountability and transparency in Uganda's environmental policies. Many critics argue that the government's selective enforcement only serves to protect the interests of the powerful while punishing the vulnerable.
“The government must answer for these double standards,” said Gwokyalya Juliet a resident of Nansana Ganda. “We need policies that are fair and just, not ones that only target the powerless.”
The tear gas incident involving Joel Ssenyonyi has brought national attention to the ongoing issues of corruption and selective enforcement in Uganda.
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As the country grapples with these challenges, the incident at Lubigi wetland serves as a stark reminder of the need for comprehensive reform and accountability in environmental governance. Ssenyonyi's confrontation with the police and his
