NEMA shuts down illegal sand mining and rice growing in Masaka
The National Environment Management Authority has closed illegal sand mining and rice-growing companies operating in Bukakata sub-county, Masaka district. The operation has been mounted to crack down on those degrading the wetlands by carrying out human activities without operational permits from relevant authorities and failing to follow the environmental impact assessment guidelines. Police aided NEMA in this operation, which has seen Mtaz Uganda Ltd, a rice-growing company owned by Pakistani nationals, stopped from its operations and some of its workers arrested on-site with sand mining equipment. Masaka District Natural Resources Officer, Rose Nakyegwe, says they have found people and other companies degrading the environment and will prosecute them.
