NEMA Executive Director Dr. Barirega Akankwasah
The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has dismissed reports alleging that it failed to evict a tycoon accused of encroaching on Lake Victoria, insisting that the matter is still under legal review and due process is being followed.
The clarification comes after a Weekend Vision publication claimed that NEMA had not acted against alleged illegal developments on sections of Lake Victoria, also referred to as Lake Nalubale, raising questions over enforcement of environmental protection laws in the contested area.
In its response, NEMA maintained that enforcement action cannot proceed while an appeal against its earlier directive remains active, stressing that the process is governed by law and cannot be bypassed.
The authority said the affected developer was served with an Environment Restoration Order, which is currently the subject of an ongoing appeal process.
“NEMA HAS NOT FAILED TO EVICT TYCOON IN LAKE VICTORIA
Our attention has been drawn to a Weekend Vision article alleging that @nemaug has failed to evict tycoon from Lake Nalubale. This is to clarify that the Environment Restoration Order that was issued to the said developer was appealed and the law requires that action can only be taken upon disposal of the appeal. The Appeal is going through the due process and the public will know the outcome soon. It’s therefore not true that NEMA has failed.”
The authority further emphasized that the enforcement process has already taken over a year, with the individuals affected having been engaged through formal legal channels since receiving the restoration orders.
“NEMA has not failed. It should be noted that the people being removed have gone through full due process for more than a year since they received Environment Restoration Orders.”
The disputed development has drawn public attention due to concerns over encroachment into Lake Victoria’s shoreline, a sensitive ecological zone that supports fishing communities and biodiversity across Uganda’s lake basin.
Environmental activists have in recent months raised alarm over increased construction activity along the lake, calling for stricter enforcement of wetland and waterbody protection regulations.
However, NEMA insists that its hands are tied until the appeal is conclusively determined, adding that any further action taken outside the legal framework would risk violating due process.
The agency has urged the public to await the outcome of the appeal, saying it will act decisively once the legal process is completed.