LUZIRA, Uganda — A partially built illegal floating recreation structure on Lake Victoria has been dismantled, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) said Wednesday.
The enforcement operation occurred Tuesday along the Lake Drive Zone in Port Bell Village, Luzira Parish, Nakawa Division, and involved the Environment Protection Force, the Environmental Protection Police Unit, and experts from the Ministry of Water and Environment.
NEMA acted after receiving a tip from a whistleblower on Monday night.
Authorities apprehended two unidentified casual laborers at the construction site during the raid.
According to NEMA, the developer, identified only as Joshua, did not have the required environmental approval for the project, violating Section 36(1) of the National Environment Act. The law requires written approval from the authority for activities likely to significantly affect the environment.
Environmental inspectors found timber, sand bricks, and other construction materials on the lake’s surface, posing a threat to aquatic life. The site also contained discarded plastic bottles and other waste along the shoreline.
“This kind of careless development is not only illegal but also a serious threat to aquatic life and water quality,” NEMA said in a statement. The agency condemned the developer’s disregard for environmental laws and vowed continued monitoring and enforcement.
NEMA urged the public to report illegal activities in wetlands, lakeshores, and protected environments, emphasizing the ecological importance of these areas.
Investigations are ongoing, and the two suspects remain in custody pending legal proceedings.
