NEMA demolishes controversial Lake Victoria perimeter wall
Speaking at the site on Friday, NEMA senior public relations officer William Lubuulwa said the exercise forms part of the authority's nationwide environmental restoration campaign.
An amphibious excavator demolishing a concrete wall constructed in part of Lake Victoria. The wall is part of Dungu Resort Beach. (Photos by Gerald Tenywa)
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The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has demolished a controversial perimeter wall extending into Lake Victoria at Ddungu Resort Beach in Munyonyo, marking a major step in the government's ongoing campaign to restore wetlands and protect the country's water bodies.
The demolition follows months of public criticism and a series of investigations by New Vision that highlighted alleged environmental degradation along the shores of Lake Victoria, where several developers were accused of encroaching on protected wetlands.
Speaking at the site on Friday, NEMA senior public relations officer William Lubuulwa said the exercise forms part of the authority's nationwide environmental restoration campaign.
"This is a continuous restoration exercise, but today we have come to Munyonyo in Makindye division to remove this perimeter wall, which has caused a lot of concern among the public," he said.
He noted that the wall had sparked widespread debate on social media, with many Ugandans questioning why influential developers appeared to evade enforcement while ordinary citizens faced swift action.
"People have been saying that NEMA only acts against small people. Today we are here at a very big establishment, Ddungu Resort Beach. I call this Operation Big Fish because enforcement is now reaching major developments that have violated environmental laws."
Lubuulwa said the demolition is one of several ongoing enforcement actions targeting illegal developments in wetlands across Uganda.
He cited previous restoration efforts in areas such as Lubigi Wetland, saying the government remains committed to reclaiming degraded ecosystems regardless of the status of those responsible.
Lubuulwa warned that developers who illegally reclaim wetlands or construct in protected areas risk severe penalties under Uganda's environmental laws.
Offenders can face prosecution, lengthy prison sentences and heavy fines if found guilty by the courts.
Although the government is currently meeting the cost of the demolition through NEMA and its partners, Lubuulwa said the law allows authorities to recover those costs from property owners who fail to comply with demolition orders.
Regarding the proprietor of Ddungu Resort Beach, he said NEMA had held several engagements with him before the operation.
"The proprietor, Mr Ddungu, has been aware of this exercise. Government is currently bearing the demolition costs, but we are preparing the necessary processes for prosecution and possible recovery of those expenses."
Maj. Joshua Karamagi, the head of the UPDF Environment Enforcement Unit, said that on top of demolishing the wall, they wanted to demolish the entire beach.
Locals say that Ddungu had encroached not only on the lake, but also the swamp, adding that he had been warned many times but had continued with the construction.