The State House Anti-corruption team together with Uganda’s National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) have issued directives to demobilize all sand mining sites in Lwera wetland, and have sand excavators and equipment impounded immediately.
The directives were issued during a joint field operation led by the head of State House Anti-corruption team, Brig Gen Henry Isoke in company of NEMA Executive Director Dr. Barilega Akankwasa and UPDF Armored Division Commader, Brig General Deus Sande, who visited various sites in Lwera-Katonga wetland to assess the progress of a joint operation against illegal sand mining.
The operation was launched on Thursday 11th April 2024 following public concern on the extensive damage being caused to the Lwera eco-system, and it
also involved the RDC Kalungu District Dr Paddy Kayondo and other government officials.
The leaders observed that in addition to having no valid permits, the errant sand mining companies were employing crude and illegal sand mining methods, using heavy machinery which are causing extensive destruction to the ecosystem.
It was also resolved that the four sites be decommissioned as investigations are ongoing to bring the culprits to account and also have the Lwera wetland degraders compelled to restore the degraded areas.
On Friday, Maj. Joshua Karamagi -the NEMA Manager for Environment Protection Force, confirmed that the Equipment demobilization exercise had commenced and it is happening across 4 sites in Lwera. Maj Karamagi said the Ministry of Works and Transport has provided the necessary engineering and logical support to the operation.
He reported that the enforcement teams on the ground impounded motor cars, trucks and tractors used to illegally mine sand in Lake Victoria.
The ED NEMA Dr. Barilega further clarified that for the last two years, government suspended sand mining in wet lands and that whoever does so, is liable to arrest and prosecution. He noted that is only mining, with valid permits in dry areas that is authorized.
