___________

The weekend of August 5-6, 2023, was nasty for some of the wetland encroachers.

In an operation, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) arrested two suspected encroachers.

One person was arrested at Kyankima zone, Kasangati town council in Wakiso district on August 5, 2023, according to Victor Nahabwe, senior manager, environmental enforcement and field operation at NEMA.

"The wetland that was seen degraded was 4.95 acres," Nahabwe said, adding that this was backfilled with soil and demarcated into plots.

He added: "The site engineer, Wilber Wanyama, was arrested, charged under SD Ref 16/05/08/2023, statements were recorded, and the suspect was detained at Jinja Road Police Station".

The Environmental Police, working with NEMA, confiscated building material (poles, spades and hoes) as exhibits.

"All activities were halted," Nahabwe said.

The operations were also expanded to the Nakiyanja zone along Namugongo-Sonde road in Ggoma division in Mukono municipality on August 5, 2023.

The NEMA team and the Environmental Police arrested Ian Paul Mugabi and charged him, according to Nahabwe, over "wetland degradation by backfilling and water stream diversion". 

He said almost two acres of the wetland were encroached upon. "The encroachers had constructed a drainage channel in a wetland to block and divert water".

The team also confiscated building materials, including five spades, a hoe and six wheelbarrows, as exhibits.

In Gayaza, Kasangati town council in Wakiso district, the team encountered wetland degradation. This is where backfilling with soil excavated from the upland was taking place. 

"About 1.5 acres of the wetland were degraded. The excavator tractor was found on site," he said.

A security officer found on the site revealed that the site belonged to a soldier, according to Nahabwe. 

The excavator tractor was deregistered (UBA 871D). The soldier was summoned to NEMA for more guidance.

In Kasanje, Wakiso district, the team ordered Richard Mpandarasi to remove soil from the swamp ahead of restoration.