By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
A senior officer in the Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF) officer, Brig Musajjawaza has been summoned by National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) over alleged encroachment of wetland in Wakiso district.
The said wetland is about 1.5acres land in Makenkebzone, Gayaza ward, Kasangati town council, Wakiso district.
This was after security officers found at site told NEMA that he (Musajjawaza) is the owner of the degraded wetland.
Authorities also deregistered an excavator registration number UBA 871D that was found at the site.
In other related stories, two more people have been arrested and charged for degrading wetlands in Kasangati and Namugongo areas.
They are Eng. Wilber Wanyama who was arrested in Kyankima zone Kasangati and and Ian Paul Mugabi, arrested in Namugingo.
According to NEMA, the duo was arrested yesterday August 5 and we’re immediately charged.
“Eng was arrested, charged under SD Ref 16/05/08/2023, at Jinja Road Police station for degrading 4.95 acres of wetland & backfilling it with soil,” NEMA said. The demarcated area was divided into plots which apparently belongs to Nyombi Grace, at large.
The authority further explained that Mugabi was arrested and charged after he backfilled with soil and diverted a water channel in wetland he encroached. This was at Nakiyanja Sonde Namugingo ward in Mukono district.
“Almost 2 acres of the wetland were encroached to build a drainage channel to block and divert water. The activity was halted,” NEMA reported
Officials from NEMA confiscated building materials were including 05-spades, 01-hoe, 04-meter DPC, and 06-wheel barrows at the site as exhibits and taken to exhibit store.
