NEMA halts apartments construction in Kajjansi wetland

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The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) said on Monday, June 1, 2026, that it had halted the ongoing construction of apartments at universal town in Kajjansi town council, Wakiso district, and arrested several suspects.

Naome Karekaho, the NEMA spokesperson, said they worked with the Department of Wetlands Management, Ministry of Water and Environment and relevant Local Governments to stop the construction as a way of safeguarding wetlands in Uganda.

“During a joint inspection of Kajjansi wetland, teams comprising NEMA's environment protection force, the Environmental Protection Police Unit, and the Uganda People's Defence Forces on Sunday, May 31, 2026, stopped illegal construction and arrests were made,” Karekaho said.

She said a criminal case file has since been opened vide SD REF 04/31/05/2026, and investigations would continue.

“The Authority is taking steps to halt further degradation in the area and will issue Environment Restoration Orders in accordance with provisions of the National Environment Act, Cap 181,” she added.

NEMA halted the ongoing construction of apartments at universal town in Kajjansi town council, Wakiso district. (Courtesy photo)

She commended the public for the vigilance, adding that, “sharing with us areas under encroachment.  NEMA remains committed to protecting Uganda's environment and ensuring that people enjoy their right to a clean and healthy environment”.

Karekaho said all people who have encroached on wetlands across Uganda are reminded to follow their call to peacefully vacate the wetlands before the operations reach them. 

“Enforcement operations will continue until all encroached wetlands have been liberated,” she stated.

The raid by NEMA comes in the wake of a social media post by a member of the public who criticised NEMA for razing down houses in Lubigi, yet apartments were mushrooming in Kajjansi wetland.

The Universal Multipurpose Enterprises Limited, which is constructing the Universal town, claim on its website that they are a leading real estate developer in Uganda, keen on launching an affordable housing project in Kajjansi.

The company said the project was to feature over 1,000 apartments with a development value exceeding sh150b.