The Chief Magistrate’s Standards, Utilities, and Wildlife Court in Makindye division, Sienna Owomugisha, has remanded 21 Lubigi wetland evictees for defiantly returning to the eviction zone in Ganda-Nasere, Nansana West II B, Nabweru South Cell I, and Nabweru South Cell II in Wakiso district.
The returnees were arrested by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) together with armed security personnel on October 18, 2024, from Lubigi wetland and were detained at Nansana Police station.
The 21 suspects who pleaded not guilty were charged with two counts of illegal occupancy of Lubigi wetland and violating the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) conditions set by NEMA.
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While sentencing them on October 22, 2024, HW Owomugisha released six breast-feeding women at UGX 2 million and their sureties on UGX 1 million non-cash bail. However, other bail applications were overturned by the court.
“You failed to comply with restoration orders that were issued by NEMA. The court is giving priority to these persons who have children,” Owomugisha ruled.
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In July 2024, NEMA evicted several residents from Ganda, Nansana, and Lubigi wetlands in a bid to restore the encroached wetlands around the country.
However, at the beginning of October 2024, several evictees returned and started setting up camp-like settlements and makeshift structures, insisting not to leave the wetland till they are compensated, despite several warnings from NEMA.
