A Lira businessman, Okello Lawrence, has been remanded to prison until December 16, 2024, for constructing a fuel station in a protected wetland.
The Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court made the ruling after Lawrence was arraigned by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, in collaboration with the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP).
According to the Anti-Corruption Unit, Lawrence continued to construct the fuel station in Pece swamp, Gulu city, despite receiving a Certificate of Environmental and Social Impact Assessment from NEMA.
“His actions were in total disregard of the conditions set by NEMA and in violation of physical planning laws, building control laws, and NEMA certification.” Said prosecution side.
Investigations have revealed that Lawrence is a notorious encroacher on protected areas, including wetlands, forest reserves, and public land.
Further investigations into his alleged involvement in numerous acts of encroachment on protected areas are ongoing.
According to NEMA, the arrest and remand of Lawrence serve as a warning to individuals who engage in environmental degradation and disregard for the law.
The Ugandan government has been working to curb wetland encroachment, which has become a pressing environmental concern in the country.
The latest operation is in the Kampala metropolitan area where several buildings have been broken down over allegations of wetland encroachment especially along the Lubigi catchment zone.
