The encroaching wall at Ddungu Resort Beach in Munyonyo
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has ordered a local investor to restore part of the Lake Victoria shoreline in Kampala within 21 days or face possible imprisonment, in a move aimed at curbing illegal developments along the country’s fragile water bodies.
The directive follows an investigation by NEMA’s enforcement team, which uncovered extensive environmental violations at Ddungu Resort Beach in Munyonyo, an upscale lakeside suburb.
According to the authority, developers constructed a perimeter wall stretching approximately 98 metres into the lake and rising about 1.3 metres above the water level. The inspection further revealed that about 226 metres of the lakeshore—nearly one acre—had been encroached upon and altered without the mandatory environmental approvals.
“You constructed structures within the protected lakeshore zone without prior written approval, resulting in environmental degradation,” the order issued by NEMA states.
The restoration directive, signed by Barirega Akankwasah, requires the developer to immediately halt all ongoing activities at the site and begin restoration works.
Under the order, the encroachers must demolish all illegal structures, remove construction materials including stones and gabions dumped into the lake, and restore the shoreline to its original state. They have also been instructed to vacate the protected buffer zone with immediate effect.
NEMA warned that failure to comply within the stipulated 21 days would trigger enforcement action, including forced restoration at the developer’s cost, legal proceedings, and potential criminal prosecution.
The environmental restoration order, issued on April 7, 2026, stems from a site inspection conducted a day earlier in Mulungu, Buziga zone, Makindye Division. The agency said the developments contravene provisions of Uganda’s environmental laws, which strictly prohibit construction and land reclamation within designated lakeshore protection zones.
Akankwasah emphasized that the directive will remain in force until full environmental restoration is achieved, underscoring the authority’s renewed commitment to protecting critical ecosystems.
The case adds to growing concerns over unchecked encroachment on Lake Victoria, particularly in affluent neighbourhoods such as Munyonyo and Buziga, where private developers have increasingly reclaimed sections of the shoreline for resorts, residences, and leisure facilities.
Environmental experts warn that such activities pose serious risks to the lake’s ecosystem. The destruction of natural buffer zones can accelerate water pollution, disrupt natural drainage systems, and increase the likelihood of flooding in surrounding communities.
Lake Victoria remains a vital resource for millions across East Africa, serving as a source of water, food, and livelihoods. Conservationists argue that continued degradation threatens not only biodiversity but also public access to the lake.
NEMA says it has intensified enforcement operations targeting illegal developments in wetlands and along water bodies, signaling a tougher stance against environmental violations as pressure mounts to safeguard the country’s natural resources.
About the Author
