The Makindye Standards, Utilities, and Wildlife Court has convicted PRO Industries Pte Limited for illegally discharging untreated industrial waste into the Ngaju Wetland in Ndibulungi Village, Kakabala Parish, Butuntumula Sub-county, Luweero District.
The case was heard before Chief Magistrate Her Worship Gladys Kamasanyu, where Mr. Adrian Caesar Mugabe, the company manager, pleaded guilty on behalf of the firm.
Court heard that the company discharged untreated wastewater and sludge into the wetland, violating environmental compliance requirements.
Prosecution told court that between November 2025 and January 2026, the company breached conditions under its Certificate of Approval of Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) No. NEMA/EIA/16265, particularly Conditions 4.2 and 4.5, by releasing untreated effluent into the ecosystem.
Investigators found that the contaminated wastewater had spread beyond the discharge point, affecting vegetation, private gardens, and neighbouring land. Laboratory tests reportedly showed carbon dioxide levels exceeding permitted effluent discharge standards in water samples collected from the site.
As a penalty, the court fined the company Shs75 million and ordered it to restore the degraded wetland within 30 days under supervision of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
During proceedings, the company informed court that it had already installed a new wastewater treatment system and was implementing corrective measures.
According to Naomi Karekaho, the ruling reinforces Uganda’s commitment to environmental protection and sends a strong warning against ecological violations.
“The judgment reaffirms Uganda’s legal commitment to protecting fragile ecosystems. Holding polluters accountable is essential for safeguarding communities, biodiversity, and natural resources,” she said.
Environmental authorities urged industries to strictly follow approved environmental standards to prevent further degradation of wetlands and other sensitive ecosystems.
