Four arrested over dumping waste in drainage channel

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Two adult women and two juveniles have been arrested by the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) for allegedly dumping domestic waste into a Nansana drainage channel.

Mariam Ndagire, 36, Moreen Nakavubu, 28, and the two juveniles whose names have been withheld, were arrested today (May 8) after a viral video on social media showed individuals dumping domestic waste in a drainage channel on May 4.

In red is Naomi Karekaho, the head of Communications at NEMA and Carol Omoru the senior legal officer at NEMA addressing the media at NEMA offices in Kampala. (Photo by Simon Peter Tumwine)

While addressing the media the Authority’s offices shortly after the arrest of the group, Naomi Karekaho, the NEMA head of communications, revealed that shortly after the video came to their attention, the NEMA crime intelligence officers swung into action and arrested the group.

She revealed that the group was arrested from Nsumbi zone, Nansana Municipality, Wakiso district.

Karekaho noted that NEMA is mandated to ensure a clean and healthy environment for all adding that this is the primary reason why NEMA was established.

She noted that the organisation has been responding to outcries of Lake Victoria pollution, and swamp degradation among others and a majority of them have been apprehended, however, other challenges remain.

"We need to investigate if these people need to stay in a clean and healthy environment. Do they have the necessary infrastructure to manage their waste?” Karekaho posed, adding that ignorance of the law is no defence.

Karekaho noted that with the big population in the central region, there is a need for the government to allocate more funds so that the big population can be well planned for as far as environmental protection is concerned.

She appealed to the community to learn how to manage their wastes adding that when you breathe clean air, it is of your interest as an individual.

According to Carol Omoru the senior legal officer at NEMA, the suspects are to be charged with littering domestic waste (rubbish) into a water channel contrary to section 97 (1) (4) and (9) of the National Environment Act, 2019.

Omoru revealed that each of the suspects will be fined a fee of sh11m, adding that they have recorded a statement and are to take a plea at the Buganda Road Court.

In an interview with Ndagire and Nakavubu, they appealed for forgiveness, adding that they were not aware that they were breaking the law.