NEMA stops development in Nakiyanja wetland

The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), in collaboration with Environmental Police, has halted a real estate company from degrading Nakiyanja wetland in Wakiso District.

Authorities said that action has been taken to protect the critical ecosystem at Sonde, Kira Municipality in Wakiso.

The area is a critical wetland that drain into River Sezibwa, which serves Kayunga and Mukono districts.

In a statement, NEMA indicated that prior to the action, its inspectors had already established the occasional degradation was engineered by a real estate company, Genagri Limited.

The real estate, NEMA said, was hoodwinking the inspectors with a certificate of approval No. ΝΕΜΑ/ΕΙΑ/15422 issued to develop mixed residential and commercial structures on small piece of dry land elsewhere.

“The developer instead illegally encroached on the nearby Nakiyanja wetland,” reads part of the statement.

Environmentalists argue that the degradation of Nakiyanja wetland risks increased flooding, loss of biodiversity and habitat destruction for various species in the area.

When investigations are concluded, the environment management authorities said it will lead to restoration of order, and in addition, there will be prosecution or payment of administrative fines.

Authorities reiterated that they indefinitely suspended approvals and issuance of permits for activities in wetlands on September 2, 2021; and will continue to take decisive action to address all environmental violations across the country.