KATABI– Proprietors of Nkalubo mixed Farm and residents of Bendegere Village in Katabi town council, Wakiso district are worried about the future of their area and Children at large following the orders from Dr. Barirega Akankwasah, the Executive Director of National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) directing the demolition of the 25 year old Poultry farm basing on technicalities.
In the Environmental restoration order dated Monday 23rd June 2025, Akankwasah gave Mr. Nkalubo Lawrence Ddamulira Ssebwami, the proprietor of Nkalubo mixed Farm , twenty one days to demolish the storeyed Poultry house and stop with immediate effects all activities taking place on the farm.
“Stop with immediate effect all activities and operations that lead to the generation of foul smell and poor management of wastes; demolish all the illegal farm structures constructed without approvals; remove any material, waste or refuse deposited in, on, under or around the land generating foul smell; clean up the pollution using.” Reads part Environmental restoration order.
NEMA stated that it is illegal for Nkalubo to operate a farm with over 1000 chicken without the relevant approvals from this Authority which contradicts Schedule 4(6)(d) of the National Environment Act Cap 181 and Section 112 of the National Environment Act Cap 181, regulations.
“Operating a farm with over 1000 chicken without the relevant approvals from this Authority contrary to Schedule 4(6)(d) of the National Environment Act Cap 181 and Section 112 of the National Environment Act Cap 181, regulations.” The document reads further
Nkalubo speaks out
Nkalubo Lawrence, the proprietor of the farmer who appeared to be traumatized and confused on what to do next, shared the challenges ahead of him to the press with tears rolling down his cheeks.
“Our dear President, Mr Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, I kindly request you to intervene in this matter and save my businesses which is provided employment to over 30 people directly and others in thousands indirectly. I am here to remind you that am the farmer whom you supported with 20 million shillings while I was still in Kamuli and the Vice President (then) Prof. Gilbert Bukenya also contributed 10 million shillings to boost this business.”
He pointed out that if nothing is done in time, he is at a risk of loosing his 25 year old business on top suffering huge losses.
“I have loans from a number of financial institutions, One billion shillings from Post Bank, Six hundred (600) million shillings from Centenary Bank and nine hundred (900) million shillings from Biyinzika, my suppliers for feeds and other farm needs.”
Nkalubo says that he was surprised to find that a person who has spent less than three years in an area and his stays very many meters from the farm, he is the only person irritated by the Farm’s presence in the locality.
“Am implementing President Museveni’s decision of using the little land you have to carry out large scale farming. I use 2.5 acres where I have close to 5000 birds on my farm and a pending order of 6000 more birds from my supplier with in a few weeks. So giving me three weeks to transfer my business to unknown location is so unfair.”
Foul smell
Nkalubo says that ever since he established his Poultry houses in that area, sanitation has been his number one priority which has improved his relationship with all immediate neighbors.
“As you can see, with this modern technology am using, it’s very hard for water to pour in these coffee husks which is the number one cause of foul smell in the poultry farming. Secondly we clean this facility within every short time frame and after we transport used coffee husks to our farm as manure, thus keeping this place clean all the time.”
Nkalubo further added that he has a Piggery project which is in the farm but it’s hard to identify its presence of you’re not told because it’s ever clean with no smell as other Piggery farms.
Mpanga Samuel L.C 1 Chairman for Bendegere village for close 30 years while commenting about the matter revealed that he has never received any complaint from his residents about the foul smell generated by this farm as Mr. Akankwasah alleges.
“It is surprising to see that President is preaching the gospel of job creation, but unfortunately there are some people trying to do the opposite. I my self am also a resident of the same village, but I have never felt the bad smell as it is being alleged.”
He also pointed out that on top of providing employment to his people, this farm has been offering free water to most of the new people in this area at no cost for some time. That most of the homes in the area have electricity power because of this farm which brought in the first power line.
Galusanja Steven one of the neighbors of Nkalubo’s farm , noted that it’s surprising that the farm has no effect to immediate neighbors but reported to have effects on distant homes.
“I think NEMA should work hard in hand with Mr. Nkalubo or sensitize him on to ensure that this farm is upgraded to another standard instead of just criticizing the project and issuing orders affecting the business.”
Makumbi Godfrey one of the staff at this farm, informed journalists that the farm is their only source of livelihood ever since they left illegal fishing business. “The closing or collapse of the farm , will be like sending us back to the risky fishing business which we used to do on Lake Victoria.”
State House intervention
According to information from reliable sources, Dr. Hillary Musoke Kisanja , the Senior Presidential Advisor on Agribusiness has already intervened in this matter.
“Mr. Nkalubo started this farm project in 2000. At one time, H.E. the President gave him seed capital, recognizing him as a devoted, patriotic cadre and mobilizer. Furthermore, Mr. Nkalubo has been instrumental in helping the Government fight illegal fishing on Lake Victoria, having served as the chairman of the illegal fishermen’s association (an activity he abandoned).” reads part of Kisanja’s letter to Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Entebbe Municipality
That through the same letter , Kisanja asked the Deputy RDC to engage with other stakeholders to hold meeting with the farm neighbors to establish the truth of the matter , provide security and halt the demolition of the farm until when President Museveni is fully briefed about the matter.
Mr. Nkalubo’s family acquired this land in 1994 through his mother, Aida Nabatanzi,band they have lived on this land since its requisition.
Nkalubo alleges that for many years, the area in Bendegere was bushy and isolated, with no nearby neighbours, and that his family originally occupied 4 acres, which has since reduced to 2.3 acres currently holding the farm.
