In a video that went viral on Monday, July 17, 2023, in which Sino trucks loaded with soil were pouring it into Lake Victoria even after the government has been trying to fight environmental degradation, made rounds on social media.
However, the environmental watchdog, Uganda’s National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) defended Tycoon Ruparellia Sudhir’s act of pouring thousands of Sino truck loads of soil into the Lake at his Munyonyo-based Commonwealth Resort Hotel.
Some commentators said that the trucks were dumping soil into the lake to make way for Munyonyo expansion works, something they said broke environmental laws.
And in a twist of events, NEMA tweeted defending Tycoon Ruparellia Sudhir.
“This video of Munyonyo’s work was trending on social media yesterday. As you might be aware, Uganda will host the Non-Aligned Movement and G-77 Conferences next year. Venue: Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort; as such, the compound is being raised to prevent flooding of the gardens.” NEMA stated.
NEMA claims that waterfront developments are approved world over to attract tourism, adding, “This is a chance for Uganda to tap into #Blue Economy potential.”
Is NEMA implying that the current discussion is whether Uganda’s low tourism sector is due to a lack of waterfronts?
It is important to note that Lake Victoria serves as a vital water resource for Uganda’s climate by creating atmospheric moisture, increasing rainfall, modulating regional climate, and providing water resources for agriculture, drinking water, and hydropower generation.
Its size and water mass influence weather patterns and climate conditions, and its impact is complex and interconnected with factors like topography, wind patterns, and global climate change.
The lake’s influence on Uganda’s climate is significant and crucial for its overall well-being. Therefore, by NEMA giving Sudhir a go ahead to pour marram soil in the lake is an abuse against environmental protection. Much as we may want to promote tourism and trade, nature remains crucial to humanity.
