Ramsar sites for wetland conservation in Uganda
Nabajjuzi, Lutembe Bay, Mabamba, Makanaga, Lake Opeta, Lake Bisina, Lake Nakuwa, Lake Nabugabo, Lake Albert, Nile Delta, and Lake Mburo Nakivale are among the twelve Ramsar sites in Uganda, most of which are wetland systems. They fall under the category of Important Bird Areas (IBAs).
A wetland location that has been recognized as having worldwide significance by the Ramsar Convention is known as a Ramsar site. The Ramsar Convention, also referred to as "The Convention on Wetlands," is an intergovernmental environmental agreement that was created by UNESCO in Ramsar, Iran, on February 2, 1971, and went into effect on December 21, 1975. Regarding the preservation of wetlands and the prudent, sustainable use of their resources, the treaty calls for both national and international action.
Ugandan wildlife and Ramsar locations
Ugandan wetlands have several uses, one of which is providing some of the nation's top spots for bird viewing. The shoebill stork, one of the rare African bird species, is present at all 12 locations. Permanent and primary freshwater shallow papyrus wetland environments that are abundant in biodiversity are home to the shoebill.
Those visiting to observe the shoebill also get the opportunity to see other species with over 1,061 bird species in Uganda, which is roughly 11% of the bird population in Africa. Uganda's national bird is the endangered gray-crowned crane. The majority of the Ramsar wetlands are located along the Nile River and around the big lakes of Victoria, Nyanza, Albert, Edward, and Kyoga.
The marsh canals are traversed by small motor boats and wooden canoes in pursuit of birds. Professional bird guides will look after you while you sit back and enjoy the journey. Wetland birdwatching serves as a reminder of how much the locals rely on nature, such as for fishing. Numerous fish species, including the lungfish that the shoebill mostly eats, may be found in the freshwater lakes.
This fish is a totem of the Mamba clan and is known as Mamba by the Baganda people of Buganda kingdom. Instead of eating it, members of this clan favor other species that are also a component of the shoebill diet, such tilapia, catfish, and bichir. This implies that when it comes to fish and other natural resources, humans compete with birds. Wetlands, for example, provide water, reeds for handicrafts, and medicinal plants.
Wetlands are further deteriorated by the demand for land for food production, animal farms, and the extraction of clay and sand for building. In addition to their socioeconomic functions, these natural places offer ecological benefits such mitigating the effects of pollutants, floods, soil erosion, climate change, and wildlife shelter.
The International Wetlands Treaty
The signing of the Ramsar accord in Iran in 1971 marked the beginning of the need to preserve and use wetland resources sustainably. Because of their great biodiversity and social and economic significance on a national and worldwide scale, wetland areas are designated as Ramsar sites. With 11% of the territory covered by wetlands, Uganda joined in 1988. Since the passage of the national wetlands strategy in 1995, more than 40 areas—12 of which are Ramsar sites—have been classified as IBAs.
However, because of growing populations, urbanization, and agriculture, wetlands continued to decrease by 30% between 1994 and 2008. Therefore, the policy's goal was to implement steps to halt deterioration and provide income for populations that rely on wetlands for their existence. Uganda is dedicated to protecting wetlands, particularly through tourism-related pursuits including art, culture, water sports, and bird viewing. By visiting these Ramsar sites and supporting governmental and private groups that work to preserve the environment, you may contribute to the protection of wetlands. Bookings for birding excursions can be made via a guide or tour operator.
Ugandan Ramsar sites
In Uganda, shoebill storks have been observed at twelve Ramsar sites, including Lake Edward in Queen Elizabeth National Park, the Nile delta in Murchison Falls, Lake Mburo's Nakivale, Lake Bisina, Opeta, and Nakuwa in the east of the Lake Kyoga basin, Mabamba Bay and Makanaga, Lutembe Bay, the Nabujuzi wetland, and Lake Nabugabo on the west shores of Lake Victoria. The Uganda Bird Guides Association reports that five of the twelve locations—Murchison Falls, Lake Mburo, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Mabamba, and Makanaga Wetlands—are the most successful for sightings. You may reserve Shoebill birding trips with a guide or tour operator.
Mabamba and Makanaga wetland
The Mabamba Bay Wetland is located 12 kilometers via Kasange Road and 47 km west of Entebbe Town via Kawuku-Nakawuka Road. From the capital city of Kampala, one may also take a day excursion to Mabamba for birdwatching. The surrounding Makanaga marsh is part of the 16,500-hectare swamp. The shoebill, the primary attraction with the best possibility of seeing the bird, is found in both. Makanaga is accessible by Kamengo, which is off the Masaka-Kampala route, and is about 60 kilometers west of Entebbe.
More than 260 bird species, including endemics of the Lake Victoria region like the papyrus gonolek and white-winged swamp warbler, may be found at Mabamba Swamp. Additionally, migratory species including white-winged black, gull-billed, and whiskered terns, as well as blue swallows, are drawn to Mabamba. Nkima Forest Lodge offers rooms with a view of the marsh for anyone planning to stay near Mabamba. In both wetlands, visitors engage in birdwatching by sitting in wooden canoes accompanied by a guide and pilot. It is simpler to maneuver the swamp canals with lookout stations to identify birds because the canoe does not make noise as powered vessels do.
The lake Kyoga basin satellite
Located south of Lake Albert and north of Murchison Falls, Kyoga is the shallowest lake in Uganda. The three lakes that make up the lake's eastern portion are Bisina, Opeta, and Nakuwa. Both are designated IBAs and Ramsar areas, and the shoebill stork calls them home. Although the sites were gazetted, tourism is still in its infancy.
More initiatives that help the local community in addition to ensuring accessibility are still required. The 68,912-hectare Opeta is mostly a papyrus wetland, but to the north, where it borders the Pian Upe nature reserve, it also has thatching (hyparrhenia) and hippo (vossia cuspidata) grasses.
In addition to the shoebill, the location is well-known for housing the fox's weaver (ploceus spekeoides), Uganda's sole endemic bird. Although the bird is listed as a Near Threatened species, nothing is known about its distribution and current state. Opeta and the nearby lake Bisina wetland system are important fox's weaver nesting sites, according to 2010 research by Nature Uganda titled "Survey of the Fox's Weaver, the only Ugandan Endemic bird species."
In particular, the 54,229-hectare Lake Bisina wetland is a Ramsar site that is significant for the protection of shoebills. Suds, or floating vegetation that creates obstructive masses that defined most of the White Nile, make up the distinctive lake Nakuwa wetland system, in contrast to Bisina and Opeta. The Kyoga satellite lakes are rich in biodiversity, including haplochromines, a type of cichlid fish that is indigenous to the Great Lakes of East Africa, and are also significant locations for the protection of shoebills.
Because to the introduction of the Nile perch, which preys on this species, they are no longer found in Lake Victoria. Since the Nile perch cannot reach the Kyoga satellite lakes due to the surfactants, these wetlands continue to be the lone remaining home for the haplochromine cichlid fish species. More than 12 distinct weaver species, including Compact, northern Brown-throated, yellow-backed, Lesser Masked, Grosbeak, Slender-billed, Jackson's Golden-backed, Black-necked, Heuglins Masked, and Spectacled weavers, may be found in the Bisina and Opeta wetlands.
The Nile Albert Delta Wetland
The greatest place to see the shoebill stork is in the Nile Albert delta, which is part of Murchison Falls National Park. Since the location is protected, there are a lot of shoebills, and sightings are nearly certain. The protected area's 17,293 hectares of wetland are located at the meeting point of Lake Albert and the Victoria Nile.
More than 460 bird species may be seen at Murchison Falls, with the majority of water bird species, including the near-threatened great snipe, being found in the delta. Motorized canoes are used to visit the delta in the park's northern section. Because crocodiles are present, wooden boats cannot be utilized.
Murchison has excellent chances to observe wildlife, such as lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes, Uganda kob, Jackson's hartebeest, oribi, waterbucks, and warthogs, in addition to being a great spot to go bird watching. Game drives, boat cruises down the Victoria Nile, and visits to the top of the falls are the must-do activities there. Chimpanzee tracking is possible in the Budongo Central Forest Reserve, which is located in the park's southern section.
Nakivale Wetlands System
There are thirteen lakes in the Ramar site, five of which are in the protected area of Lake Mburo National Park. Acacia and euphoria trees, savanna forests, and metamorphic rocks that rise above the relief comprise the remainder of the park. Rich biodiversity, including 370 bird species and 69 animal species, is supported by the varied ecosystems. On foot, the Kyempitsi route along the shores of Lake Mburo is used to follow the shoebill. The African finfoot, papyrus gonolek, African water rail, water thick-knee, and hamerkops are other species of water birds.
Lutembe Bay Wetland
The Lutembe Ramsar site can be accessed by boat from the Entebbe Zoo and is located 13 km from Kajjansi town off Kampala-Entebbe Road. From Entebbe or Kampala, Lutembe Bay is easily accessible for a day excursion. More than 70 species were found by Nature Uganda, including big flocks of palearctic migrants like white-winged terns and Madagascar pond herons. However, the shoebill isn't frequently observed. More than 50 native species, including the Klaas's cuckoo, knob-billed duck, green shank, lesser black-backed gull, and green-backed heron, may be recognized by keen birdwatchers.
In order to save endangered bird species, such as the shoebill stork and the papyrus gonolek, which are indigenous to the Lake Victoria region, the Nabugabo wetland system was named a Ramsar site in 2004. In addition to drawing migratory species, the location is well-known for housing 15% of the world's blue swallow population. At Nabugabo, more than five globally endangered bird species have been identified, including the great snipe and the pallid harrier.
Nabujjuzi wetland System
The Ramsar site, which was designated in 2006, spans 1,753 hectares in Budu county, Buganda kingdom, from Masaka, Mpigi to Sembabule districts. The river Katonga basin, which feeds into Lake Edward in Queen Elizabeth National Park after flowing from Lake Victoria to Wamala, contains portions of the Nabajjuzi wetland systems.
Silver grass (Miscanthus violaceus), blue lotus (Nymphaea nouchali i), and the prevalent Papyrus sedge are among the wetland's flora. The papyrus yellow warbler (Chloropeta gracilirostris), papyrus gonolek (Laniarius mufumbiri), shoebill stork, and gray-crowned crane are among the endemic bird species found in Nabajjuzi.
The Sitatunga, a swamp-dwelling antelope, is also frequently sighted. Additionally, many people who live near the marsh depend on a variety of fish species, such as lung and mud fish, for their livelihoods. The use of pesticides in the wetland's agricultural regions, brick production, and water contamination from chemicals at the Novelty Tannery facility are some of the primary risks to Nabajjuzi Wetland.
Communities rely on it, and initiatives for livelihood and conservation are in place to improve the sustainable use of resources. The location is part of the Lake Victoria Conservation Environmental Education Program, which is supported by the Wetlands Department in collaboration with the African Wildlife Foundation and Nature Uganda.