Uganda News

As NEMA prevents a developer from backfilling Lake Victoria, four Asians are detained.

A developer in Entebbe was prevented from encroaching upon and backfilling a portion of Lake Victoria with stones and murram by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).

A developer in Entebbe was prevented from encroaching upon and backfilling a portion of Lake Victoria with stones and murram by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).

The action comes in response to a whistleblower’s appeal, which included social media posts with videos and images questioning the legitimacy of the on-site activity.

This week, a team of inspectors was sent to the site and found that, yes, stones and murram were being dumped into the lake, but the developer did not have the necessary permits as required by law.

The Environment Police also detained four Asian-Americans who were discovered backfilling a wetland close to Kajjansi Airfield in a separate incident. An on-site truck was also deregistered.

In both instances, the inspectors found that the developers had disregarded the requirements of the National Environment Act, No. 5 2019, by failing to conduct an Environment and Social Impact Assessment.

The Environment Protection Police Unit has started looking into the incident to find any other culprits who are still at large, and the legal process has already begun.

“Lake beaches and wetlands are essential components of our environment. They provide as habitats for various species and carry out special hydrological tasks including controlling floods and regulating water quality. Despite serving these crucial biological purposes, these ecosystems have been targeted for invasion, particularly for habitation, agriculture, and other projects, according to NEMA.

“We appreciate the public’s alertness and applaud society’s watchful citizens who frequently express worry about environmental violations in local neighborhoods. We will all work to stop environmental damage and collaboratively restore it, it continued.

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