Leaders and residents in Masaka District are concerned about clay mining activities in the Nakiyaga wetland system in Buwunga Sub-County. They say the environment is being harmed. People are worried about open pits in the area, which they say attract mosquitoes and pose dangers, especially to children. Gazoola Supplies Company Ltd is accused of damaging part of the wetland by leaving these pits. The clay extracted is transported to Kapeeka Industrial Park in Nakaseke District for use in making porcelain and ceramic tiles.
Local leaders from Buwunga Sub-County and Masaka say they did not approve these mining activities in the wetland. Ms. Prossy Namanda, a woman councillor of Nakiyaga Parish, has received complaints about various forms of destruction in the wetland from concerned residents. She mentioned their frustration at not knowing who authorized the company’s operations.
Mr. Andrew Muzoola, the manager at Gazoola Supplies Company Ltd, argues that they have an approved environmental and social impact assessment report. He invites anyone interested to visit their offices in Kapeeka to review the report. He asserts that they have followed the required procedures.
Mr. Darlin Kavuma, the chairperson of Buwunga Sub-County, says they’ve been trying to negotiate terms with the company to protect the environment but have not made progress. The company’s workers claimed they were sampling to confirm clay quality before signing a new agreement, but they took away over 100 trucks of clay. They also failed to pay the requested amount for the clay, which was rejected by local leaders.
Residents living near the depleted wetland have expressed concerns about the safety of children and the community due to uncovered trenches and pits filled with water. They’ve also lost food crops due to the mining operations.
Mr. Muzoola insists the company is paying revenue to local authorities and accuses some local leaders of making false claims. He says the Memorandum of Understanding covers all aspects of their agreement.
Ms. Annet Nakalanzi, an affected farmer, urges leaders to address their concerns promptly. This issue was presented to the district council by Mr. Peter Ssenkungu, the secretary of works and technical services, and investigations are underway.
However, sources from Masaka District’s natural resources department deny clearing the company’s operations, even though they are responsible for ensuring compliance with environmental and social concerns.
About the Wetland:
- Nakiyaga wetland stretches across Buwunga and Bukakkata sub-counties and is part of the Lake Nabugabo wetland system, including satellite lakes of Lake Victoria.
- The wetland system is a Ramsar Site, designated as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. Birdlife International recognizes it as an Important Bird Area with over 180 bird species.
- In the 2019 wetland status report by the Ministry of Water and Environment, Uganda’s wetland coverage had decreased from 13 percent in 1994 to 8.9 percent.
- Uganda’s wetland cover has depleted by 44 percent, exceeding the global depletion level of 35 percent.
