Lubigi
Lubigi is a swampy wetland on the northern and western outskirts of Kampala, the capital of Uganda and the largest city in that country.[1]
Location
Lubigi forms an irregular semi-circle around the city of Kampala (pop:1,659,600; 2011 est.), starting at around Kisaasi to the north, stretching westwards, passing through Bwaise and Kawaala, then stretching southwards through Busega. The swamp has feeder arms that stretch along the Kampala-Mityana Road towards Buloba, along Kampala-Masaka Road towards Kyengera, along Kampala-Hoima Road towards Nansana and along Sentema Road that stretches from Mengo to Sentema. The Kampala Northern Bypass Highway is built in the wetland for more than half of its length. The Bwaise slum is entirely built within the Lubigi wetland.[2] The coordinates of the wetland at Busega, west of the Northern Bypass are:0°19'12.0"N, 32°31'12.0"E (Latitude:0.3200; Longitude:32.5200).
Overview
Lubigi wetland is a very important water catchment area, serving the city of Kampala and the surrounding areas of Wakiso District. Rain water from the northern and western suburbs of the city, drains via underground aquifers and surface run-off, into the swamp, where it supports unique wildlife, including over 200 species of birds, one of which is the Crested Crane, the National bird. The predominant flora is papyrus grass.
To the north, around Kisaasi and Ntinda, the wetland connects with the tributaries of Nakivubo Channel, another wetland that drains into Lake Victoria, southwest of Port Bell. To the south, around Busega, some of the water in the wetland drains southeast into Lake Victoria, while the rest flows northwest, along Kampala-Mityana Road towards Buloba. West of Buloba the flow turns northwards as a tributary of River Mayanja which forms part of Lake Kyoga drainage basin.
Recent developments
In recent years, the wetland has come under severe strain from human encroachment. The government of Uganda has constructed three major projects in the wetland, contributing to its degradation:[3]
- The Kampala Northern Bypass Highway, opened in 2009, was constructed through the wetland.
- The high tension electric cables carrying power from the Kawanda substation to the Mutundwe substation pass through Lubigi. This 132kV power line was commissioned in 2012.
- The National Water and Sewerage Corporation has constructed a sewage treatment plant in the middle of the wetland
See also
- Kampala Capital City Authority
- National Water and Sewerage Company
References
External lists
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