The persistent environmental degradation along the shores of Lake Victoria in Masaka District exposes an ugly truth: Uganda’s ruling elites are shamelessly exploiting natural resources for personal gain, leaving ecological disaster in their wake. Among the culprits are State Minister for Micro Finance, Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo, and Major General Elly Kayanja. Their insidious sand mining activities have been sanctioned neither by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) nor by any semblance of moral conscience, illustrating a systemic rot that pervades the Ugandan leadership.
In a damning report dated June 6, 2024, Rose Nakyejwe, Masaka District’s natural resources officer, unveiled the heinous activities carried out in the wetlands of Mazigo, Nansere, and Senero in Bukakkata Sub-County. These wetlands, crucial for the ecological balance and local livelihoods, have been recklessly exploited by Kasolo and Kayanja. Their destructive activities, masquerading as development, are nothing more than blatant criminal acts against nature and the local communities. The report highlighted the illegal dumping of murrum in wetlands to create access roads, the construction of drainage channels, and temporary structures for shelter at various sand mining sites. The lack of proper sanitary facilities has exacerbated the already dire situation, turning these areas into potential hazards for both humans and animals. The borrow pits left unrestricted are a testament to the reckless abandon with which these activities are conducted.
In a pathetic attempt to deflect blame, Kasolo claims to have sought clearance from NEMA and to be an environmental activist. His hollow words and feeble excuses are an insult to the intelligence of Ugandans who can see through his façade. Kasolo’s hypocritical stance as a protector of natural resources while simultaneously destroying them is the epitome of deceit and corruption. He and his ilk have mastered the art of doublespeak, presenting themselves as saviors while ravaging the very land they profess to protect. Meanwhile, General Kayanja’s silence is deafening. His refusal to respond to repeated calls from the media only underscores his guilt. This calculated evasion speaks volumes about his involvement in these illicit activities. It’s a stark reminder of the arrogance and impunity with which Uganda’s military and political elites operate. They exploit their positions of power to plunder the nation’s resources, confident that they will face no repercussions.
The involvement of other businessmen like Rogers Ssekaayi and Mama Jida Nakato further reveals the widespread nature of this environmental plunder. Ssekaayi’s admission of owning land in Mazigo wetland and his readiness to correct any ‘mistakes’ are laughable. These are not mere errors; they are deliberate acts of environmental vandalism. The complicity of local natural resources officers in these activities is evident, highlighting a deeply entrenched network of corruption and collusion. NEMA’s failure to sanction these activities is a glaring indictment of its ineffectiveness and possible complicity. The agency, tasked with safeguarding Uganda’s environment, has become a toothless entity, either incapable or unwilling to confront the powerful elites responsible for this destruction. The district’s natural resources department, too, appears compromised, with officers possibly turning a blind eye in exchange for kickbacks. The closure of six illegal sand mines and the arrest of twelve sand miners by the environment protection police unit is a small step in the right direction. However, it is not enough. The authorities must go further to dismantle the networks of corruption enabling these activities. Prosecution and stringent penalties should be pursued against all individuals involved, regardless of their political or military standing.
Uganda is at a crossroads. The degradation of its wetlands, forests, and water catchment areas poses an existential threat to its ecological sustainability and the well-being of its people. The relentless exploitation by political and military elites must be stopped. Environmental laws must be enforced rigorously, and the impunity enjoyed by the powerful must be eradicated. The public must demand accountability and transparency from their leaders. Civil society organizations and environmental activists must intensify their efforts to expose these crimes and hold the culprits accountable. The media, too, has a crucial role to play in shining a light on these injustices and mobilizing public opinion against the perpetrators.
The illegal sand mining activities by Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo and Major General Elly Kayanja are a betrayal of Uganda’s natural resources and its people. These actions, driven by greed and corruption, have severe consequences for the environment and future generations. It is time to take a stand against this plunder and reclaim Uganda’s natural heritage from the clutches of its corrupt elites. The battle for environmental justice is a fight for the soul of the nation.
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