Uganda, March 25 -- About 1,000 farmers who been using wetlands in the Kigezi Sub-region for farming are demanding Shs370b from the government as compensation before they vacate.

In October last year, the government issued a directive on vacating and restoring wetlands in a move to conserve the degraded environment.

The aggrieved farmers led by the former Kabale deputy Resident District Commissioner, Mr Denis Nzeirwe, on Wednesday signed a petition to the Speaker of Parliament stating that evicting them from the wetlands would result in food insecurity and economic crisis in the region.

"Kigezi Sub-region has been known for vegetable growing because of the proper utilisation of wetlands as crop gardens. Since the colonial days, farmers...