• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Map
• Reference and further resources

Site description (2008 baseline):

Nabajjuzi wetland lies south West of central Uganda in Masaka District (Lwabenge, Kyamulibwa, Kalungu, Mukungwe, Nyendo, Kimanya, Katwe, Kingo, Kibinge, Butenga and Bigasa sub-counties), Sembabule District (Mijwala sub-county) and Mpigi District (Kabulasoke sub-county). The system is a long narrow stretch of swamp that stretches up to the Kagera River basin area to the North and past the periphery of Masaka Town Municipal Council along Masaka – Mbarara highway to the South. Nabajjuzi is dominated by Cyperus papyrus with patches of Miscanthus violaceus in most parts. In the swamp interior are also communities of Kostchya sp., a common shrub in C. papyrus swamps. There are also small open water pools supporting Nymphaea nouchali var. caerulea. The swamp is also a source of fish, clay, papyrus and other crafts materials and game meat. The local community with the help of NatureUganda has initiated eco-tourism activities in the wetland

Nabajjuzi Wetland is important regionally and globally for conservation of vulnerable and threatened species of birds and other animals. The Shoebill (Balaeniceps rex) (Near-threatened) has been recorded in Nabajjuzi. Two papyrus endemic species have also been recorded in the wetland system, the Papyrus Gonolek (Laniarius mufumbiri) (near-threatened) and the Papyrus Yellow Warbler (Chloropeta gracilirostris) (Vulnerable). The Papyrus Yellow Warbler is a Lake Victoria Biome species. The wetland also supports the Grey Crowned Crane (Balearica regulorum) (CITES App. II) whose conservation status in Uganda is at stake because of the pressure on its breeding ground, the seasonal wetlands.

Non-bird biodiversity: Nabajjuzi Wetland supports globally threatened bird species and the endangered Sitatunga. It is also important as a spawning ground for mudfish (Clarias mossambicus) and lungfish (Protopterus aethiopicus). The Sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekei) (CITES App. III), an antelope that inhabits wetlands, currently though not threatened is coming under increasing pressure due to threats on its habitat.

Nabajjuzi is dominated by Cyperus papyrus with patches of Miscanthus violaceus in most parts. In the swamp interior are also communities of Kostchya sp., a common shrub in C. papyrus swamps. There are also small open water pools supporting Nymphaea nouchali var. caerulea. The swamp is also a source of fish, clay, papyrus and other crafts materials and game meat. The local community with the help of NatureUganda has initiated eco-tourism activities in the wetland. Others activities include brick making, paddocking,tree planting and cultivation which are mostly in Buwunga Sub County. Settlement, waste disposal, car washing

Nabajjuzi wetland has been relatively intact over the past few years. The array of resources extracted from the wetland has been the same but over the last 20 years there has been increased commercialisation of the resource products hence increased resource off-take. Some of the surrounding areas have been modified and are built up into trading centres and small towns and this has further caused an increase in demand for resources. Water pollution from a tannery adjacent to the wetland is a big threat. The Wetlands Inspection Division and NGOs such as NatureUganda are implementing conservation, eco-tourism and environmental education programmes. The encroachment comes inform of hunting of sitatunga and collection of Grey Crowned Crane eggs. Others that are seen are brick making, paddocking, bush burning, tree planting and cultivation which are mostly in Buwunga Sub County. Settlement, waste disposal, car washing and effluents from tannery factory are common threats.

The Wetlands Management Department and NGOs such as NatureUganda are implementing conservation, eco-tourism and environmental education programmes. NatureUganda with its programme Lake Victoria Conservation Environmental Education Programme implemented activities in conservation and environmental education with financial funding from SIDA through WWF. Other financial funding was recieved from Whitley foundation for Nature, Masaka municipal council, Wetlands Management Department and RSPB.

Nabajjuzzi wetland was designated as a wetland of international importance in 2006. The Ramsar site covers an area of 2144 ha. This wetland is important because it hosts threatened species of birds, fish and mammals. It is also a major source of drinking water to Masaka town

Wetland Management Department manages the wetland on behalf of the Government of Uganda. This means that the wetland is state owned although the communities are not entirely stopped from accessing the resources.

The Wetlands Management Department controls the extraction of resources. The access of resources are limited to domestic and non commercial purposes.

National Biodiversity Data Bank (NBDB)

---

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Nabajjuzi Wetland (Uganda). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/nabajjuzi-wetland-iba-uganda on 22/11/2024.