Earlier today, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) brought a suspect before the Kabale Magistrate’s Court for allegedly illegally mining sand alongside the River Kiruruma in Kitumba Village, Kabale Municipality, and Kabale District.
The suspect was charged contrary to Section 157(a)(i) of the National Environment Act, No. 5, 2019 and Regulations 23 and 29 of the National Environment (Wetland, River Banks, and Lake Shores Management) Regulations, 2000.
In the case Uganda vs. Bekunda Dan and others, vide Kabale CRB: 727/2021, the suspect, Bekunda Dan, and others were arrested by NEMA for illegally mining sand during the NEMA operation in Western Uganda.
Bekunda Dan, the owner, and Paul Ahumuza, the wheel loader operator, were both detained and charged by a field operations team from NEMA in front of the Kabale Magistrate’s Court. The NEMA enforcement team is pursuing more suspects who remain at large.
After the conclusion of the evidence presented by the NEMA legal team working with the Office of the Directorate of Public Prosecution, Her Worship Racheal Tabaruka adjourned the matter to September 7, 2023, for a final ruling.