The Chief Magistrates Standards, Utilities, and Wildlife Court in Makindye, Uganda, has remanded two individuals to Luzira Prison over charges of environmental degradation. Kerim Ray, director of Yaman Construction Limited, a Turkish company, and Eric Avunalo, a manager at Rockbuild Limited, faced court proceedings on accusations related to the violation of environmental and social impact assessment conditions set by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
The charges stem from incidents involving the deposition of murram into the Lwajjali wetland, located in Gongobe Village, Goma Division, Seeta Parish, within Mukono district. According to prosecution, the two defendants were found backfilling the wetland on June 30, 2024, contrary to regulations outlined in the National Environment Act No. 5 of 2019.
Details of the Case
| Defendants | Allegations | Date of Incident | Legal Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kerim Ray | Director, Yaman Construction Limited | June 30, 2024 | Remanded to Luzira Prison |
| Eric Avunalo | Manager, Rockbuild Limited | Scheduled for Sentencing on July 15, 2024 |
Yaman Construction Ltd, specializing in concrete product manufacturing, had obtained an environmental and social impact assessment certificate (NEMA/EIA/18516) on June 14, 2024. This certification was specifically for their concrete manufacturing activities and did not permit activities that would impact wetlands.
Legal Consequences and NEMA’s Response
NEMA, in response to the incident, emphasized that backfilling a wetland constitutes a serious offense under the National Environment Act. The Act stipulates severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment upon conviction. The authority underscored its heightened capabilities in detecting, investigating, and prosecuting environmental offenses, asserting that environmental protection remains a priority.
“This development is a powerful message that environmental protection is a top priority for the authority,” NEMA stated in a tweet on its official account.
Following their court appearance, Kerim Ray and Eric Avunalo await sentencing on July 15, 2024. The outcome of this trial is anticipated to set a precedent for similar cases involving environmental violations.
