An Assessment of the Challenges Facing Wetland Management Policy Implementation in Namutumba District: A case Study of Wetlands in Namutumba Town Council In Uganda

Abstract

This study was an investigation of challenges facing wetland management policy implementation in Namutumba Town Council, Namutumba District. The study was a cross sectional survey in nature which utilized a sample size of 113 respondents. Sixty nine (69) respondents were subjected to a self administered questionnaire while forty four (44) respondents were interviewed. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Correlation Coefficient and multiple regression methods. Qualitative data was analyzed through typing up of field notes, sorting and coding of the responses and grouping under similar themes. The results indicated that the two variables namely; Community policy adoption and technical personnel support had a positive significant effect on wetland conservation and sustainability. Surprisingly donor funding and local revenue mobilization did not have significant relationship with wetland management policy implementation. This study recommends that Government should compensate the communities who have been utilizing the wetlands and evict them; mobilize community members to participate in the implementation of activities and impart monitoring and evaluation skills to all policy implementers. There is also need to address the inconsistencies in the Wetland Management Regulations. Further research could investigate factors that impact on local government wetland management strategies.