The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Lwera, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Vigorous monitoring and routine checks by the National Environment Management Authority- NEMA has forced some companies to abandon sand mining in Lwera swamp along the Kampala-Masaka highway.
Dr Jerome Sebadduka Lugumira, the Natural Resources Manager in Charge of Soils and Land in NEMA, says that only seven out of the 20 companies that were mining sand from 23 sites in Lwera by October 2016 have managed to stand the test of time.
Some of the licensed firms include Capital Estates Company, Parkson Hong Kong Investments, Seroma Limited, River Katonga Investments and Pastor Samuel Kakande’s, Aqua World Limited. The remaining firms were dragged to court for contravening NEMA guidelines.
Dr Lugumira reveals that when NEMA issued a notice to all sand mining companies to comply with a number of rules and regulations in 2016, the majority of them failed and were suspended from carrying out any activities in the wetland. He, however, faults Mpigi and Kalungu district authorities for allowing artisanal miners to continue extracting sand from Lwera without NEMA’s approval.
Dr Lugumira disclosed this during a visit by the Environment State Minister, Beatrice Anywar to inspect sand mining activities and rice growing scheme in the 20km long stretch, which is being blamed for the rising water levels that have resulted in severe damage to Kampala-Masaka highway and resident’s property. He assured residents that the strict measures put in place to save Lwera swamp from destruction by sand mining activities and restoration cannot allow environmental degradation.
The Restoration process of Lwera swamp, according to NEMA Executive Director, Tom Okurut involves the removal of the topsoil to extract sand and return of the soil after two months before they plant grass.
Despite the explanations by environmental experts, residents attribute the challenges related to the increasing water levels they are facing in their areas on sand mining.
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Good work NEMA and team are doing, and keep it up. I can see the new Environment State Minister, Hon Betty Anywar’s presence is beginning to bear some fruits. My disappointment is with some corrupt NEMA staff, the local leaders and some corrupt technocrats that tend to look the other side as our natural resources are being pillaged. It is hoped that the blacklisted companies will not be found tomorrow mining the sand after being stopped.