Stakeholders’ Perceptions of the Problem of Wetland Degradation in the Ugandan Lake Victoria Basin Uganda
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Date
2020
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Natural Resources
Abstract
Wetlands are one of the most essential resources of Uganda. They are key
components of the riparian areas filtering sediments from run-off thereby
reducing water pollution. However, they are increasingly threatened by the
expansion of agricultural activities. This condition prompted the study of
stakeholder’s perspective on the governance of Lake Victoria natural resources
in Uganda. The purpose of the study was to analyse relevant stakeholders
with a stake in wetland resource, their socio-economic characteristics,
motives and perceptions on wetland degradation in the Lake Victoria Basin.
We aimed at understanding how stakeholders influence decisions of managing wetlands in the Upper River Rwizi and Iguluibi micro catchments in light
of the current farming systems and practices and their implications to the
Lake Victoria Basin. A mixed method approach that includes both qualitative
and quantitative surveying techniques was applied. We used a semi-structured
questionnaire, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, ethnographic
observations and secondary data. A stakeholder analysis framework
was used to identify the relevant actors with a stake in wetland use and management.
It further analyses their characteristics and perceptions of the problem
of wetland degradation. Results reveal that around the 1950s, wetlands
were intact ecosystems without any disturbances from human activities. Land
use changes started around the 1990s when farmers started diversifying from
subsistence-based economy to market-oriented. The interests, benefits and
conflicts over use and management of wetland resources vary from one
stakeholder group to another and their influence and power relations are
quite distinct. These all combined with governance systems and perceptions
influence the process of wetland degradation. the Upper River Rwizi and Iguluibi micro catchments in light
of
Description
Keywords
Stakeholders, Perceptions, Wetland Degradation, Lake Victoria
Citation
Nakiyemba, A.W., Isabirye, M., Poesen, J., Deckers, J. and Mathijs, E. (2020) Stakeholders’ Perceptions of the Problem of Wetland Degradation in the Ugandan Lake Victoria Basin Uganda. Natural Resources, http://.doi.org/10.4236/nr.2020.115014