The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has halted illegal sand mining activities in Nakaseke and Nakasongola districts following a coordinated enforcement operation conducted through its Environment Protection Force.
According to the authority, the planned weekend operation uncovered unlicensed sand extraction in Nakitoma Sub-county in Nakasongola District, where a developer had begun operations without obtaining the mandatory Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) approval.
Preliminary assessments indicate that approximately five acres of land have already been degraded as a result of the illegal activity, raising concerns over environmental damage in the affected area.
During the operation, enforcement teams impounded a truck found transporting sand from the site as part of immediate compliance action. Authorities also opened a case file against the site owner, who is now under investigation.
NEMA stated that further enforcement measures are underway in accordance with the National Environment Act, Cap. 181, including possible prosecution of those responsible and restoration of the degraded land.
The authority reiterated that all sand mining activities must undergo proper environmental clearance before commencement, warning that illegal extraction continues to pose a serious threat to land integrity and ecosystem sustainability in parts of central Uganda.
