INDUSTRIALIZATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL TRENDS IN NALUKOLONGO WETLAND IN LUBAGA DIVISION KAMPALA DISTRICT.

Abstract The focus of this study was to investigate the impact of industrialization on the wetland environment of Nalukolongo. The study is of a great significance as it aims not only to harmonize the ecological losses resulting from wetland conversion but also, to bring into focus the forces that have been detrimental to wetland environment. The main variables the study considered include: Types of industries and their products, the role of industrialization in Nalukolongo wetland reclamation, the consequences of industrialization on the reclaimed wetland environment and the role of government institutions in the conservation and management planning of the wetland. In studying the above, the study used a cross-sectional design employing both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection. The sample framework included four zones in which a total of forty four respondents were selected including 2w0 local residents, 1 0 industrialists, 8 local leaders and y6 officials from environmental protection institutions (NEMA, NWCMP and KCC). In actual data collection questionnaire and interview, observation aided by photography, focus group discussion were used. Thematic and content analysis were including: tabulation, graphs and pie charts were used in data management. The study findings revealed that Nalukolongo wetland industrial area is mainly occupied by manufacturing, processing and assembling industries. Industries do occupy a third of the former wetland and have played a major role in the reclamation of the wetland by other human activities. The study found the consequences of industrialization on the reclaimed wetland to be disappearance of aquatic flora and fauna, floods, noise pollution among others. The government institutions concerned with the management of the wetland were found to be KCC, NEMA and NWCMP all which have tried to plan and manage the wetland but with limited success due to poor coordination amongst themselves. Basing on the findings, the study makes the following recommendations interalia: inventory and monitoring, education and training, publication of a report about the conditions of the wetland environment, dredging and widening of the drainage channels, improvement of collaboration between NEMA, KCC and NWCMP, development of bylaws in the area and dissemination of environmental information to all stake users of Nalukolongo wetland.