Uganda, May 16 -- At least 32 percent of wetlands in Fort Portal City have been degraded, with leaders and environment activists concerned that it is contributing to the harsh weather conditions being experienced in the area.

Ms Gladys Natugonza Mirembe, the senior environment officer of Fort Portal City, on Monday told the Monitor that since the urban area's elevation to city status on July 2020, it has witnessed a surge in population. Consequently, there has been encroachment on wetlands and river banks for farming and other human activities.

According to Ms Natugonza, wetlands comprise 1,189.52 hectares of the 124 square kilometres of land in the city. Of this, only 807.07 hectares of wetlands, constituting 67.8 percent, remain intac...