NEMA cracks down on illegal sand mining in Lwera wetland

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The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has carried out a decisive multi-agency enforcement operation against illegal sand mining in Mpigi and Kalungu districts.

NEMA, through its Environment Protection Force, joined forces with the Ministry of Water and Environment, Environmental Protection Police Unit, and the UPDF to conduct the two-day operation that ended Wednesday, April 16.

It targeted the villages of Gwanira and Kamuwunga in Mpigi and Kalungu districts, respectively, where illegal sand extraction was actively taking place in violation of environmental laws.

"Eight Sino trucks used in illegal sand transportation were impounded and are currently held at Lubigi Police Station for safe custody," said Naomi Karekaho, the head of corporate communications at NEMA.

"At the Kalungu site, 50 boats used in illegal sand mining were impounded and destroyed on-site. Six suspects were arrested and are currently detained at Lubigi Police Station to support ongoing investigations."

About 50 spades used in the illegal extraction of sand were impounded across both sites.

The enforcement teams also collected critical evidence, including Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates and photographic documentation to support prosecution.

Karekaho said investigations at both locations confirmed that sand mining was being conducted without the requisite approvals from NEMA.

"In Mpigi, operators were extracting sand on dry land without authorisation, while in Kalungu, illegal mining was being carried out along the Kampala–Masaka highway using boats and manual tools.

"These activities pose serious environmental risks, including land degradation, ecosystem destruction, and potential damage to infrastructure."

NEMA says it is set to institute legal proceedings against the responsible developers, including prosecution and/or administrative fines in accordance with the law.

Reiterating its commitment to enforcing environmental laws and safeguarding Uganda’s natural resources, the authority said restoration orders will also be issued to ensure that the affected areas are rehabilitated.

Shafik Sebulime from Lwera Sand Suppliers said they were taken by surprise.  “They didn’t inform us. They just came and raided and impounded vehicles, but yet others are still operating. This is unfair,” he said.

The operation comes in the wake of concerns raised against sand mining driven by the high demand for construction sand in the Lwera wetland, which stretches over 20 kilometers across Mpigi and Kalungu districts and is a critical part of the Lake Victoria ecosystem.

The wetland acts as a vital catchment area for Lake Victoria and connects several rivers, but uncontrolled, often illegal, mining activities have caused significant environmental degradation, leading to frequent government intervention.

In March 2021, members of Parliament's natural resources committee learnt that several companies operating in Lwera were not licensed to do sand mining.

While many companies operate in the area, NEMA has insisted that they lack valid permits. Only Jamasco Investment Ltd was identified by NEMA as having a valid permit, but this was also expiring in 2026, while companies like Lukaya Sandmine Limited (Double Q), HK Investments, and Water Cube had expired permits.

Massive extraction using dredgers and excavators has created deep pits, disrupted water drainage systems, and caused environmental degradation that risks flooding the Kampala-Masaka highway. These activities have destroyed breeding areas for fish and impacted vegetation diversity.