Police arrests 22 over illegal quarry

 

 

The move followed a complaint filed at the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU) by Tucker Nsubuga, the chief executive officer of CSI Business Centre, Kireka.

 

Nsubuga reported to the SHACU that illegal quarrying, which has claimed the lives of three people, continues to endanger the property, houses, and institutions, like churches and schools that serve residents in the area.

 

The site, which is close to two acres, is about 100 feet deep and a metre away from the property of Nsubuga.

 

The site allegedly belongs to businesswoman Sarah Kanyerezi and Mulangira Kalemera.

 

Those arrested are Shafi k Isabirye, 25, Olivia Nanyanzi, 22, Maria Nakimuli, 32, Charles Kirabira, 54, Joseph Olupot, 24. Others are Isaac Ddamulira, 37, Fazir Bazibu, 40, Denis Mukembo, 23, Daniel Mulindwa, 31, Andrew Nakabaale, 41 and Alex Mudulu, 30.

 

They also include Tigga Muyinda, 40, Muhammed Juuko, 26, Rose Namayege, 42, Joseph Kawooya, 37, Moses Wambi, 59, Isaac Ewudu, 28, Robert Sakwa, 56, John Bosco Yabiso, 27, Aidah Naluwanga, 60, Ssalongo Kabali, 40 and Richard Sserukuma 42.

 

The suspects were carrying out stone quarrying activities, despite a court order barring them from doing so.

 Police at a stone quarrying site, where 22 suspects were arrested over illegal stone excavation

 They have been taken to Kira Division Police, were to record statements.

 

Recently, Justice Godfrey Namundi issued an order barring Sarah Kanyerezi, Joyce Kanyerezi and their agents from further excavating and carrying out stone quarrying

from underneath the borderlines of Nsubuga's properties, in vain.

 

"A temporary injunction was issued against the respondents, their agents, servants, workmen and anyone deriving title or authority from them from further excavating, carrying out stone quarrying and removing adjacent stones from underneath the borderlines of the applicant's property," the judge ruled.

 

According to the judge, the parties were required to obey, observe and abide by the order and that any disobedience of the same shall be cited for contempt of court.

Nsubuga said he was prompted to go SHACU because he had failed to get help from all other places.

 

"I went to the Police, who arrests people and then releases them. Therefore, I was not getting any help until I reported to SHACU," he said.

 

Nsubuga said he went to SHACU because everybody was asking him for money to execute the court order.

 

He said when he did an impact assessment analysis through National Environment Management Authority; he was told that he could not erect a storeyed building because he has to keep away from the escarpment that was created by mining.

 

Nsubuga said the underneath excavation could cause mudslides that may claim lives and destroy property during the rainy season.

 

He said he acquired a one-acre piece of land from Kanyerezi at sh100m in 2005.

 

The vice-chairperson of the area, Ibrahim Masaba, said they stopped people from excavating the land, but some refused and continued removing stones. He said some of the workers have spent 20 years removing stones from the land.

 

He refuted claims that some people died at the site due to mining.

 

Fazir Bazibu said they charge every tipper truck, which ferries the stones from the site sh20,000 and take money to their boss, Mulangira Kalemera.