Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Utilities, Wildlife, and Standards Court has fined seven Chinese nationals 217 million shillings for drilling the Lwera Wetland.
On Wednesday, the Court sitting in Makindye presided over by Chief Magistrate Gladys Kamasanyu ordered each of the seven to pay 31 million shillings or serve a four-year jail term.
The Chinese nationals are Liang Cheng Wu, Ui Wen Hu, Lian Cheng Xiang, Hu Dong Xu, Ge Xing Liang, Zie Gong Zuo, and Wang Peichuan, who pleaded guilty to charges of disturbing a wetland by drilling it. They were convicted on Tuesday following their plea of guilty.
They were arrested on July 8, 2024, by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and environment police in Kamuwunga village Magezi Kizungu Parish Lukaya Town Council Kalungu district, disturbing Lwera Wetland by drilling it in a manner that is likely to destroy it.
The prosecution led by Judith Nyamwiza requested a deterrent sentence, highlighting the significant environmental damage and impact on residents. The defense team, led by Grace Byaruhanga, asked for a lenient sentence, noting that the convicts did not waste the court’s time.
This ruling comes after last year’s collapse of Lwera bridge, allegedly due to drilling activities also by Chinese investors.
The case highlights the importance of environmental protection and compliance with environmental laws and regulations.
About two weeks ago, the same Court found Kerim Ray, a Turkish national and the Director of Yamani Construction Limited guilty of similar charges.
He was accused of violating environmental laws by encroaching upon and depositing murram in the Lwajjali Wetland in Mukono, Uganda. Ray was sentenced to pay a fine of 200 million shillings or serve five years in prison.
Kamasanyu further ordered Kerim Ray to Restore the Lwajjali Wetland within 30 days from the date of his conviction under the inspection of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA)
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