National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), with support from the Ministry of Water and Environment, has undertaken enforcement action following a tip-off regarding the dumping of murram in a wetland at Danida Village, Masese II in Jinja City.
Five suspects, including the investor reported to be of Asian origin, were arrested during an operation conducted on Sunday, 28th December, and transferred to Kampala to facilitate further investigations. In the course of the operation, five Sino trucks and two tractors suspected to have been used in the illegal activity were impounded.
Two of the suspects were later released on police bond on medical grounds.
NEMA’s legal team is currently finalising the investigation file, and the suspects are expected to be presented before courts of law within the course of this week.
NEMA reiterates its commitment to protecting Uganda’s wetlands and calls upon the public, investors, and developers to comply with environmental laws and to report any suspected environmental violations through established channels.
Section 55 of the National Environment Act, Cap. 181 and related regulations, wetlands and water bodies are legally protected, and their use is restricted. Activities such as unauthorised backfilling, construction, or dumping constitute offences punishable by law. The Act prescribes strict penalties for offenders, including a fine of up to six hundred million Uganda shillings, imprisonment for a term of up to twelve years, or both.
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For further information, please contact:
Naomi N Karekaho
Head, Corporate Communications
+256-414-425-068 info@nema.go.ug
www.nema.go.ug
NEMA House, Plot 17/19/21 Jinja Road
