Mukono residents protest over noise

Sep 10, 2001

Residents of Kasenene-Kyewanise village in Kyampisi sub-county, Mukono district have petitioned the National Environment Management

By Kikonyogo Ngatya and G. Kadilo Residents of Kasenene-Kyewanise village in Kyampisi sub-county, Mukono district have petitioned the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) over noise and dust from a stone quarry. The quarry is owned by Cementers construction company. Residents said on Friday dust from the quarry engulfs the area during lunch hours. “We have to stay indoors most of the day. Our children have developed eye problems. We have developed diseases like chest pain,” a resident said. “The blasts bring back memories of the 1970s saba saba gunships,” an old woman said. LC1 information chief Emmanuel Nsubuga said several diseases had been reported since the quarry started a year ago. Mr. Kirma, the Cementers general manager, said, “A lot of people are not happy with our success. They must be the ones trying to soil our endeavours by making the people file unfounded allegations.” He said NEMA had authorised their operations. “We have not yet started blasting. We are just doing simple rock work,” h said. When The New Vision visited the site on Friday, machines were digging up stones under tight security. Dust covered vegetation in a 200m radius. Site chief Ravi Siani blamed the dust on the dry weather. NEMA spokes-person said inspectors had been sent to the site.

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