8/2/23, 2:46 PM Ramsar Sites in Uganda - Kagera Safaris

Ramsar Sites in Uganda

Besides its National Parks, Forest Reserves, waterfalls, and Wildlife Reserves, Uganda boosts
of numerous wetlands and swamps. Most of these have been listed as Wetlands of
International Importance under the Ramsar Convention. Bird-life International, a global
partnership of conservation organizations and the world leader in bird conservation, has
designated these wetlands as Important Birding Areas for providing critical habitat for various
endangered and threatened aquatic flora and fauna. Two of the Ramsar wetlands are located in
National Parks, whereas the rest are located in the Lake Victoria region and north-
eastern/eastern Uganda. Below are some of Uganda’s top Ramsar sites;

Ramsar Sites located in National Parks

The Murchison Falls – Albert Delta Wetland
System
The Albert Delta Wetland System is located in Murchison Falls National Park. The wetland
system stretches from the top of Murchison Falls to the delta where it meets Lake Albert. It
contains a shallow area that is important for various aquatic bird species including herons,
darters, and the shoebill, among others. The wetland is also a fantastic breeding and spawning
site for indigenous fish species in Lake Albert fisheries. Interestingly, during the dry season, the
area serves as a watering and feeding station for wildlife species.

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The Lake Mburo – Nakivale Wetland System

Located in Lake Mburo National Park, Nakivale wetland is a system of open and wooded
savanna, seasonal and permanent wetlands, and five lakes, with the largest being Lake Mburo.
The system is a one-of-a-kind habitat that lies at the crossroads of two biological zones giving
it a high level of biodiversity. The wetland is home to 22 species of Palaearctic and Afrotropical
migrant birds during adverse weather conditions. It is home to the globally threatened Papyrus
Yellow Warbler and Shoebill. It is also a habitat for two endangered cichlid fish species that
have become extinct in the main lakes.

The Important Birding Area also has enormous socioeconomic value to the natives that live
around it. It acts as a source of water for domestic use, livestock, as well as pasture for
livestock.

Ramsar Sites located in Eastern & Northern

Uganda
The Lake Bisina Wetland System
Lake Bisina is a freshwater lake in eastern Uganda. It is part of the Wetland lakes system
situated between two predominantly dry lands, with Lake Opeta. The wetland lies about 15
kilometers from Kumi District on the Kumi-Soroti high road. Lake Bisina is endowed with a
diverse range of flora and fauna, as well as a permanent source of fresh water for the local
population. The wetland was designated a Ramsar World Heritage Site on September 15th,
2006.

Lake Bisina is a narrow and shallow body of water surrounded by a swamp that supports a
large number of localized bird species. Some of these bird species include the legendary
shoebill and rare papyrus Gonolek, pygmy goose, fox’s weaver, white-winged warbler, lesser
Jacana, and white-backed duck, among others.

The wetland also harbors wild animals such as Nile Crocodiles and Hippos, though they are
rarely seen. A range of fish species such as mudfish, tilapia, catfish, and lungfish are also found
in the wetland.

The Lake Opeta Wetland System

Lake Opeta is a lake in Uganda with a large wetland system. The lake is located south of the
Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve. And it serves as a dry-season refuge for both park wildlife and
domestic cattle of the Karamojong and Pokot people. The lake and its surrounding swamps are
located in eastern Uganda. The wetland system lies in the easternmost part of Lake Kyoga’s
basin on a large floodplain between the Lake Bisina Ramsar Site. The Lake Opeta wetlands
mark the southern end of the vast, arid Karamoja region, which stretches along Uganda’s
eastern flank between Mount Elgon and Sudan.
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The Lake Opeta Wetland System is one of Uganda’s 33 Important Bird Areas and has been a
Ramsar-listed site since 2006. The Ramsar site is 1,050 meters above sea level and covers
68,913 hectares. It is home to more than 160 bird species including Uganda’s only endemic bird
species, Fox’s weaver, and the rare shoebill, among others.

The Lake Nakuwa Wetland System

This is a permanent wetland connected to a number of satellite lakes and a swamp system in
Eastern Uganda – Kaliro district. It is dominated by dense papyrus, with pools of floating
papyrus interspersed throughout. The system and its satellite lakes are home to the most
diverse cichlid species. It is also a haven for a number of non-cichlid species that are no longer
found in the large lakes of Kyoga and Victoria. The system provides refuge to fish species that
have been reported extinct in the country’s main lakes. Thanks to the protection provided by the
aquatic vegetation that surrounds the lakes, which has prevented the spread of the Nile perch.
The wetland also helps with flood control, water purification, and groundwater recharge.

Due to its remoteness and sparse population in the immediate catchment, the Lake Nakuwa
Wetland system is likely one of Uganda’s last pristine wetland areas, and it employs a number
of fishermen.

Ramsar Sites found on Lake Victoria

Mabamba Bay Wetland
Mabamba Bay wetland is an extensive marsh stretching through a narrow and long bay fringed
with papyrus towards the main body of Lake Victoria. Located northeast of Entebbe, Mabamba
is the only swamp near Kampala where the globally threatened Shoebill can be easily found.
Furthermore, it is part of a wetland system that supports approximately 38% of the global
population of the Blue Swallow, as well as the globally threatened Papyrus Yellow Warbler,
among many other bird species.

The site also supports profitable fisheries activities and provides fish for domestic and
commercial consumption. In addition, to raw materials for local crafts, building materials, and
domestic and livestock water, among other purposes.

The Lutembe Bay Wetland System

This shallow area is located at the mouth of Lake Victoria’s Murchison Bay and is almost
completely cut off from the main body of Lake Victoria by a C. papyrus island. The site is home
to globally threatened bird species, endangered Cichlid fish, and over 100 butterfly species,
including three rare ones. It is also a breeding ground for Clarias and lungfish, and it is home to
more than 52% of the White-winged Black Tern population.

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The Lutembe Bay wetland system further plays an important hydrological role, with the
swamps surrounding Murchison Bay acting as natural filters for silt, sediments, and excess
nutrients in surface run-off, and industrial wastewater, as well as the Kampala City sewage.

More Ramsar sites in Uganda include;

Nabajjuzi Wetland System
Lake Nabugabo
Sango Bay-Musambwa Island
Kagera Wetland System
Lake George

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Kagera Safaris Uganda Ltd

P. O. Box 36038 Kampala
Tel: +256-392-176513
Cel: +256-782-477992
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