Lives at stake: The cost of sand mining in Lwera

Lwera, a critical wetland in Uganda stretching along the shores of Lake Victoria, has become a battleground for a resource often taken for granted—sand.

As the construction boom continues in Uganda and beyond, the demand for sand has skyrocketed, leading to uncontrolled sand mining in this once-thriving wetland.

While sand might seem harmless, the consequences of its extraction have been dire, with lives at stake.

Sand mining in Lwera has not only devastated the environment but also put the lives of local communities at risk.

The wetland, which acts as a natural filter for water entering Lake Victoria and a buffer against floods, has been significantly degraded.

With every truckload of sand extracted, the wetland’s ability to regulate water flow diminishes, increasing the risk of floods in surrounding areas.

These floods have already claimed lives, destroyed homes, and displaced families alongside damaging the Famous Kampala - Masaka high road infrastructure that saw even the collapse of historical Katonga Bridge few Kilometers off Lwera towards Kampala side from Masaka.

Moreover, the loss of habitat has disrupted the local ecosystem, leading to a decline in fish populations and other wildlife that communities depend on for food and income.

The destruction of these natural resources forces locals into more desperate situations, sometimes leading to dangerous fishing practices or deeper poverty, which, in turn, exacerbates social tensions and contributes to local conflicts.

In addition to environmental impacts, there have been reports of fatal accidents linked to sand mining activities.

Unregulated and often illegal, these operations are rife with safety hazards.

Workers, often poorly trained and equipped, face constant dangers from unstable pits and heavy machinery.

There have also been incidents of drowning, as abandoned mining pits fill with water, becoming death traps for both humans and animals.

Despite the clear dangers, sand mining in Lwera continues largely unchecked, driven by a lucrative black market and the demand for construction materials.

The cost, however, is being paid by the most vulnerable—both the environment and the people who depend on it.

Urgent action is needed to regulate and control sand mining in Lwera to prevent further loss of life and to protect this vital wetland for future generations.

AI generated