Tayari News
The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has intensified its enforcement operations against illegal sand mining in the ecologically sensitive Lwera wetlands, carrying out a coordinated multi-agency crackdown that has led to arrests, impoundments, and the destruction of equipment used in the illicit trade.
The operation, conducted over two days and concluding on Wednesday, April 15, targeted illegal sand mining hotspots in Mpigi and Kalungu districts. Specifically, enforcement teams descended on Gwanira Village in Mpigi District and Kamuwunga Village in Kalungu District, where authorities confirmed ongoing extraction activities being conducted in violation of environmental laws.
According to NEMA, the operation was spearheaded by its Environment Protection Force (EPF) and carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Water and Environment, the Environmental Protection Police Unit, and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF). The multi-agency approach underscores the growing concern among authorities about the scale and environmental impact of illegal sand mining in the Lwera wetland system.
In a statement released on Thursday, NEMA described the operation as “a decisive multi-agency enforcement operation against illegal sand mining in Mpigi and Kalungu districts,” highlighting the seriousness with which the government is now addressing environmental violations in the area.
The enforcement action yielded significant results. Eight Sino trucks suspected to have been used in the transportation of illegally mined sand were impounded and are currently being held at Lubigi Police Station. At the Kalungu site, authorities took a more drastic step, impounding and destroying 50 boats that were being used directly in sand extraction activities.
Additionally, six suspects were arrested during the operation and are currently detained at Lubigi Police Station as investigations continue. Authorities also confiscated approximately 50 spades and other manual tools used in the extraction process across both locations.
NEMA emphasized that the operation was not only about disrupting illegal activities but also about gathering evidence for prosecution.
“The enforcement teams also collected critical evidence, including GPS coordinates and photographic documentation, to support prosecution,” the agency stated.
Preliminary investigations revealed widespread non-compliance with environmental regulations.
“Investigations at both locations confirmed that sand mining was being conducted without the requisite approvals from NEMA,” the statement noted.
The nature of the illegal activities varied between the two districts. In Mpigi, operators were found extracting sand on dry land without authorization, while in Kalungu, mining was being carried out along the Kampala–Masaka Highway using boats and rudimentary tools.
Environmental experts have long warned about the dangers of unregulated sand mining in wetlands such as Lwera, which plays a critical role in water filtration, flood control, and biodiversity conservation. NEMA echoed these concerns, warning that “these activities pose serious environmental risks, including land degradation, ecosystem destruction, and potential damage to infrastructure.”
The Lwera wetlands, located along the busy Kampala–Masaka corridor, have increasingly come under pressure from commercial sand miners supplying the construction industry in Kampala and surrounding urban areas. The high demand for sand has made illegal mining a lucrative but environmentally destructive enterprise.
NEMA has vowed to take firm legal action against those involved.
“NEMA will institute legal proceedings against the responsible developers, including prosecution and/or administrative fines in accordance with the law,” the authority said.
In addition to punitive measures, the agency also plans to enforce environmental restoration. “Restoration orders will also be issued to ensure that the affected areas are rehabilitated,” the statement added, signaling a commitment not just to enforcement but also to ecological recovery.
The crackdown reflects a broader push by the Ugandan government to strengthen environmental governance amid rising concerns over degradation of natural resources. Wetlands across the country have been encroached upon for agriculture, real estate, and extractive activities, prompting calls for stricter enforcement of existing laws.
NEMA reiterated its mandate and commitment to protecting the country’s natural resources, stating: “NEMA reiterates its commitment to enforcing environmental laws and safeguarding Uganda’s natural resources.”
The agency has also called on the public and local leaders to support its efforts by reporting illegal activities and promoting sustainable resource use. Environmental protection, officials say, cannot be achieved through enforcement alone but requires collective responsibility.
As investigations continue, more arrests and prosecutions are expected. Authorities have indicated that they are pursuing not only the individuals directly involved in the mining but also the financiers and buyers who sustain the illegal trade.
For residents of Mpigi and Kalungu, the operation marks a significant intervention in a long-running environmental issue. While some community members have depended on sand mining for their livelihoods, officials stress that unregulated activities ultimately cause more harm than good, particularly in fragile ecosystems like wetlands.
Moving forward, NEMA says it will maintain heightened surveillance in the Lwera area and other vulnerable ecosystems across the country. The authority is also expected to increase public awareness campaigns on the importance of environmental conservation and the legal requirements for resource extraction.
The latest crackdown serves as both a warning and a turning point in Uganda’s fight against environmental degradation. With stronger enforcement, inter-agency cooperation, and a renewed commitment to sustainability, authorities hope to curb illegal activities and preserve critical ecosystems for future generations.