Kampala, Uganda — The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has ordered an immediate halt to construction activities and directed full restoration of a degraded section of the Lake Victoria shoreline in Munyonyo, Kampala District, following what it described as illegal encroachment into a protected area.
The directive affects developments in Mulungu Village, Munyonyo Parish, where inspectors confirmed that perimeter walls and concrete gabions had been constructed inside the lake without authorization.
According to NEMA, the enforcement action follows a fact-finding inspection conducted on April 6, 2026, which established significant encroachment into the lake-shore protection zone.
Two facilities were identified as being in violation of environmental regulations: Dungu Resort Beach, where a concrete gabion wall was reportedly extended approximately 70 metres into the lake, and White Pearl Resort, where a perimeter wall was found extending about 20 metres into the water.
NEMA said the developments were undertaken without approved Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) certification or the necessary permits, in breach of Uganda’s environmental regulations governing protected ecosystems.
The authority warned that such encroachment threatens shoreline stability, disrupts aquatic habitats, and increases the risk of erosion and flooding. It also noted that illegal construction along lake shores undermines public access to natural resources.
NEMA has ordered an immediate suspension of all ongoing works at the affected sites and instructed the developers to restore the damaged lake-shore protection zone. The authority further warned that failure to comply could result in criminal prosecution.
According to NEMA Head of Corporate Communications Naomi N. Karekaho, the developers have a 21-day window to appeal the restoration order. If they fail to comply, NEMA said it will proceed with enforcement actions, including seizure of equipment and vehicles used in the violation.
The environmental watchdog has urged investors and developers to strictly adhere to environmental laws, particularly when undertaking projects in fragile ecosystems such as wetlands and lake shores, which remain under increasing pressure from urban expansion.
The latest enforcement action adds to a growing list of crackdowns by NEMA on illegal developments along Lake Victoria’s shoreline.
