LAKE VICTORIA RISING WATER LEVELS

[Uganda]

Lake Victoria Serena Hotel located in Kigo, Wakiso district is among the luxurious properties that have been hit by rising water levels at Lake Victoria. Lake Victoria has burst its shoreline and the impact of the ever rising water levels is bringing more trouble for beach owners and goers than before.

Many commercial facilities on the shoreline have been flooded and or submerged.

Over the years, environmentalists have warned that water levels on the lake Vic. would decrease due to the construction of hydro power dams on River Nile But the variability in climate is proving otherwise and the water levels have kept rising over the years, having hit the peak in 2019. Since early 2020 there has been distress from farmers, business facilities, residential premises and other premises along the lake shore because of the rise in water levels, which is attributed to torrential rains, especially during this rainy season, which is expected to last till the end of May.

Currently, several commercial facilities, to wit beaches and hotels, restaurants, landing sites, markets etc along the shoreline have been flooded and or submerged.

However, although environmentalists say this unpredictable flooding points to climate change occasioned by global warming due to man’s relentless war against nature, others contend it is being caused by pollution occasioned by man, which also partly explains water surges that are forcing the suffocated lake to burst its shoreline, submerging businesses and residences within close proximity of its shoreline.

“It has come 35 metres into our gardens. Our marina and harbour, we had quite a bit of a shoreline but they have all been affected. For 16 years that I have worked here, I have never seen the water levels rise up to this part of the gardens,” Mr Malik Akhilesh, the assistant general manager at Speke Resort Munyonyo, told the media in 2019.

Gaba Beach is also flooded

He added: “This is lakeside. We have four of our prime venues next to the shore. It’s one of the biggest and most popular venue for functions and events; the peace lawns and the marina restaurant. Three of our prime venues have been affected by the rising water level.” But the situation has since worsened, making it difficult for the hotel to utilize the beach and the biggest part of the compound, because it is flooded.

According to an analysis of data collected during the season indicates that water levels in the major lakes in the basin – Lake Victoria, Lake Kyoga and Lake Albert, Lake Edward, Lake Tana and Nasser increased due to rise in the amount of rainfall.

The new rainfall pattern is being attributed to the persisting presence of the rainfall belt over the East Africa region associated with prevailing high-pressure region over the Indian Ocean and from the Atlantic Ocean and the Congo Forests.

A monitoring report by the Nile Basin Initiative indicates that highest amounts of rainfall is expected in the Lake Victoria and Victoria Nile Sub-basin during April and May .

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Hotel Protea Entebbe is among establishments that have been submerged as a result of rise in water levels at Lake Victoria.

Full statement: Luxurious hotels hit by floods named as Govt announces eviction plans at Lake Victoria

By MP Sam Cheptoris, Minister of water and environment

INTRODUCTION

Fellow Citizens and all people living in Uganda,

I am here to update you on the status and impacts of the rising water levels of Lake Victoria and the Nile System in Uganda.

As you are all aware, our country Uganda, is currently experiencing impacts of intensive and prolonged rainfall which has caused rise in water levels of major water bodies and flooding in several areas of the country.

This may continue for some time in line with the recent seasonal weather forecast for March to May 2020 issued by my Ministry.

Many of you may recall that around 1961 to 1964 and also 1996 to 1998, Uganda experienced similar intense rainfall that resulted in rise in the levels of rivers and Lakes below which no developments and settlements should be made.

The current rise in Lake Victoria water level started on 1st October 2019 and has consistently gone up from 12.00 meters to the current level of 13.32 meters as of 30th April 2020.

This is a rise of 1.32 meters attained in only 6 months and the level is only 0.08 meters away from the highest level ever recorded.

I wish to let you know that Lake Victoria is a huge trans-boundary body shared by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda with about 23 rivers that bring water into the lake.

Some of these rivers originate as far as Rwanda and Burundi and therefore when it rains in Burundi, water finds its way into Lake Victoria.

There is however, only one exit through River Nile at Jinja.

The current rise in water levels for Lake Victoria has also attracted regional and international attention since this water flows through South Sudan, Sudan and eventually to Mediterranean Sea though Egypt.

The quick rise in water level has also been accelerated by human activities especially environmental degradation.

Loss of forest cover, encroachment on wetlands, lakeshores and river banks including poor land use practices, have resulted in soil erosion leading to siltation of our water bodies.

This has resulted in speedy movement of water into the lakes and rivers with a lot of silt which has further reduced water storage capacities of our water bodies.

In addition, urbanization has created highly impermeable surfaces like roads, roofs, pavements that have reduced water infiltration into the soil, interception and evapotranspiration capacity of forests and wetlands.

IMPACTS OF THE CURRENT RISING WATER LEVEL

The rising water levels and associated floods within Lake Victoria Basin and other areas of Uganda are already having negative impacts on the people and developments.

Let me highlight some of the specific impacts of rising water levels and associated floods that are currently being experienced in the country;

Hydropower Generation

The increased water level is causing dislodgement of papyrus mats from encroached shorelines resulting into huge mass of floating Islands which are dangerous to hydropower infrastructure.

A case in point was observed on 14th April, 2020 when the mass docked at Owen Falls Dam choking turbines and resulting into a temporary National power blackout.

This cost government a lot of money to remove.

These floating islands too, have the capacity to block waterways and other economic activities within the water bodies as was the case in Lake Kyoga in 1998.

Water Transport and Bridge Construction

Water transport facilities operated by Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) have already been affected by rising water levels. These include ferries along River Nile which have been suspended as there is inundation and submergence of jetties and landing sites.

In addition, construction of Kyiko Bridge, downstream of Isimba Hydropower Dam has come to a halt.

Water, Sanitation and Health

Essential facilities such as drinking water and sanitation systems, health facilities, roads, among others have been affected.

Possible water borne and water related disease incidences such as cholera, dysentery, malaria, and bilharzia are likely to increase.

Settlements and Establishments

Settlements and developments around Lake Victoria and River Nile have been affected with many hotels, beaches and individual house already flooded.

Some of the establishments submerged include Serena-Kigo Hotel, Speke Resort Hotel Munyonyo, Hotel Protea Entebbe, Gaba Beach, K.K Beach, Miami Beach, and several other beaches, markets, Gaba water works, jetties, and settlements/homes around the lake.

A number of areas around Lakes and rivers have been identified as high flood risk areas and essential features such as schools, health facilities and places of worship both churches and mosques are at risk.

Lake Kyoga is projected to exceed the highest historical water level of 13.2 meters and as such shorelines, swamps and floodplains will experience high water levels.

Several settlements and essential facilities in the districts surrounding the lake including health, schools, roads, water supply and sanitation facilities are vulnerable to flooding.

Although Lake Albert is not expected to reach critical flooding levels some areas in the surrounding districts of Hoima, Buliisa and Ntoroko will be affected.

Fellow Citizens, Ladies and Gentlemen,

While it is true that the levels of water in Lake Victoria, the Nile and other water bodies are rising, the levels are not beyond normal as water in these water bodies was previously above these levels.

Those directly affected, therefore, have settled or put their developments either within the protection zones or flood zones of lakes and rivers.

Considering that the rise in water level in most of the water bodies and the flooding in several areas of Uganda has been attributed to among others encroachment on wetlands, lakeshores, river banks, and forests, and poor land use practices, urgent actions need to be taken to avoid similar problems in future.

Yoweri Museveni is extremely concerned that a number of people and developments in the country have encroached on wetlands, shoreline, river banks and forests, and have partly contributed to the problems we are seeing in the country today.

In view of the above, I have been directed by Yoweri Museveni to remove all encroachers on the wetlands, shoreline, river banks and government forests with immediate effect.

I have been further directed to work with Local Government to ensure that Parish and Sub-county chiefs who never took action against encroachers are dismissed.

I wish therefore to call upon those people who are within the protection zones of wetlands, lakes, rivers and forest reserves to vacate with immediate effect.

My ministry working with the Ministry of Local Government and other relevant government agencies will evict people living within 100 meters of river banks, 30 meters of wetlands and 200 meters of lake shores, and in forest reserves, and stop cultivation on the steep slopes in order to reduce erosion and high run off from the hilly areas.

The respective Government offices, from the Central level to Local levels, up to the Sub-county and Parish levels, are informed of the above directive and requested to take the required actions with immediate effect.

I have formally written to all the local governments communicating this directive and the actions required of them.

ONGOING AND PLANNED MEASURES BY GOVERNMENT

Ladies and gentlemen, Government has put in place a number of measures to address the problems of rising water levels and associated floods as follows:

Instituted measures to immediately get more water out of Lake Victoria through increased release at Jinja which is now at a rate of 2200 cubic meters per second, up from a rate of 1000 cubic meters per second in October 2019;

Removed the floating islands that had docked at the Owen Falls Dam Complex on 14th April 2020, choking inlet screens and affecting the power generating capacity.

Instituted a National Response Team comprising of Ministry of Work and Transport, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, Ministry of Defense and Veterans Affairs and Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and Ministry of Water and Environment.

The team has ready equipment and machinery to carry out surveillance and monitoring of the movement of the floating islands, and remove those floating islands considered a threat to the dams;

Intensified monitoring and forecasting of weather and water levels, floods and effectively disseminate information to guide action or response.

Continued to provide advisories to Local Authorities, UNRA and other concerned institutions to ensure functional storm-water drainage systems including culverts and channels to quickly convey runoffs during this season.

Communities should open channels, drainage to handle runoff and increase water evacuation from their settlements to avoid damage to property.

Set up an Inter-ministerial Committee under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister comprising 14 Ministries and 7 Agencies to implement government response to the disaster.

A multi-sectoral Technical Task Team chaired by the Ministry of Water and Environment provides technical support to the Inter-ministerial Committee and has already started on emergency work on three (3) key fronts;

Ensuring safety of Hydropower dams,

Protection of lives and property; and

Monitoring and surveillance of water resources and floating islands

CONCLUSION

Fellow Citizens and all people of Uganda,

Let me conclude by highlighting the following key issues;-

Intensive and prolonged rainfall in Uganda and in the East African region has caused a rise in water levels of Lake Victoria and all major water bodies in the country.

The quick rise is further hastened by environmental degradation and urbanization;

The Lake Victoria water level continues to rise to critical levels despite increased releases due to the increased inflows and heavy rains in Lake Victoria Basin.

The rivers discharging into Lake Victoria from upstream countries have uncontrollably more than doubled their inflows;

Recognizing that many parts of Uganda including the Lake Victoria region are forecasted to receive above normal rainfall between mid-April and end of May 2020, water levels are expected to rise further resulting in floods with severe effects around the country.

Early preparations and response are therefore required;

Increasing water releases at Jinja is already having impacts on various activities and the communities along the Nile from Nalubale/Kiira dams, through Bujagali and Isimba dams, Lake Kyoga, and Karuma dam. While there are minimal impacts around Lake Albert and along the River Nile through Pakwach to Laropi before the Nile leaves Uganda, the impacts are expected to increase with increase in water releases and rainfall;

The emergence of several floating islands on major lakes have the capacity to block the flow of the Nile system and cause backflow and more flooding. Floating islands with potential threats will be removed or stopped from moving as soon as they are identified through surveillance;

Increase in water releases at Jinja will be inevitable in order to stop the increasing Lake Victoria water level, protect major investments, lives and property.

Unfortunately continued release and intensive rains will continue to have negative impacts on the people and property downstream of Lake Victoria.

The affected people and property owners are requested to take note and prepare to stop their operations and vacate.

With the current situation, evacuation of people from high risk zones will be inevitable;

Government has strengthened surveillance on water bodies to relay timely information and ensure that floating masses are handled in a timely manner before joining the Nile system or reaching any major infrastructure;

Government will continue to provide early warning information on the weather and change in water levels, as well as the impacts of the increase in water releases downstream.

The country will continue to warnings to the affected people in high risk areas around Lake Victoria, Kyoga, Albert and the Nile system;

People living in settlements on the shorelines, river banks, wetlands, forests and flood prone areas in and around Lakes Victoria, Kyoga, Albert and the Nile system including landslides prone hilly slopes should move with immediate effect to safe places to minimize loss and damages caused by rising water levels and flooding.

Dear Citizens and all living in Uganda,

Finally, let me reassure you that Government is committed to addressing the challenge at hand and is ready to respond to any emergencies caused by intense rains, rising water levels and floods.

The affected organizations or people are requested to take Government’s warnings and guidance seriously and cooperate during this period.

uganda.uk.com

[Uganda]

Heavy rains destroy homes and cut off roads

Heavy rains have destroyed crops, swept away homes and cut off roads, in several villages in the district of Kabale.

The most affected areas are; Rubaya, Kaharo, Maziba and Kamuganguzi Sub Counties.

Many roads have been cut off by landslides
The rains triggered mudslides that have blocked several access roads. In several areas, gardens are submerged in water as well as people’s homes, especially those that live near the old Maziba hydropower dam.

The dam has been flooded over 500 families are living in fear that it might collapse.

In Katuna town council and Rubaya Sub County, several homes have been washed away, leaving scores homeless.

In Maziba sub county several roads are impassable and Maziba primary school has been cut off.

Elias Jonathan Byaruhanga, the head teacher Maziba primary school says the heavy rains destroyed part of the school including his own office.

Large boulders washed from hill tops have piled on some of the roads including the old road that connects Kyanamira-maziba – Buhara and Kaharo sub counties.

Meanwhile, the Uganda National Roads Authority announced Saturday afternoon that they were temporarily closing part of the Ntungamo—Kabale highway due to a pavement failure at Kaharo which is, 18Km to Kabale town.

“The failure is as a result of the current torrential rains leading to landslides in the area.  Our maintenance team in Kabale has closed off one lane to traffic and has commenced mobilization of materials to reinstate the failed embankment and restore traffic flow,” UNRA said.

“In the mean time, the following diversions can be used; —trucks to Rwanda can use Ntungamo—Mirama hills road —trucks to DR. Congo can use Mbarara—Ishaka—Katunguru—Ishasha or Mbarara—lshaka—Kikorongo—Mpondwe roads.”

Patrick Besigye Keihwa, the Kabale district LC V chairperson, says the district is being overwhelmed by the increased calamities caused by the heavy rains

He says that the chief administrative officer has sent a team to assess the situation and make a report to the office of the prime minister so that they can get relief.

uganda.uk.com

[Uganda]

Authorities are considering suspending ferry services

Authorities are considering suspending ferry services to Kalangala Islands over rising water levels on Lake Victoria.

Over the last three months, many shores of Lake Victoria in Kalungu, Masaka, Kalangala, Entebbe, Wakiso and Kampala have been submerged, displacing hundreds of people. 

According to Alex Tuhaye, the Captain of MV Pearl, one of the ferries managed by Kalangala Infrastructure services (KIS), increasing water levels are likely to force the company to suspend services since the docking piers are submerged in water thus affecting smooth landing of the ferries at Bukakkata pier.

Currently, both ferries – MV Pearl and MV Ssese  have no permanent docking points as sometimes passengers disembark from the nearby swamp towards the main gate to the pier as the main docking pier was abandoned a month ago.

On Friday, the government raised concern over the flooding on the lake, which it attributed to encroachment on river banks.

Dr Callist Tindimugaya, the water resources specialist in-charge of Lake Victoria management at the Ministry of Water and Environment, in an earlier interview said the lake is refilling its parts where it had receded from.

“When it rains, all the rain water from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and DR Congo comes into Lake Victoria and it does not come in one day. It travels through Kabale, Kagera, Ibanda, Ntungamo, Buhweju, which does not take one day,” he said, warning that encroachers should expect the water to invade them because it is reclaiming the place where it used to be.

“The wetlands which used to control the rate of water flow into the lake have been degraded and now the water is annoyed. It wants to reclaim its place and these are low lying lands compared to Lake Albert which has a steep gradient,” he said.

Dr Tindimugaya added that the floods could get worse due to the rains and increasing inflows from mainly River Kagera and other rivers that pour water into Lake Victoria.

Tindimugaya explained that water levels of 1964 were over 13 metres compared to the levels recorded in February at 12.9 metres and 12.8 metres last month.

uganda.uk.com

[Uganda]

Avoid some parts of Lake Victoria due to bad weather

Uganda National Meteorological Authority (UNMA) has warned fishermen and individuals with small boats to avoid some parts of Lake Victoria due to bad weather.

The 24-hour forecast for fishermen on Lake Victoria shows that isolated thunderstorms and moderate winds blowing from the Southwest and small waves are expected in Kyotera and Southwestern part of the water body.

Heavy thunderstorms are expected in Buvuma, Mgingo and the rest of the Northeast.

Over the last three months, many shores of Lake Victoria in Kalungu, Masaka, Kalangala, Entebbe, Wakiso and Kampala have been submerged, displacing hundreds of people.

Below are precautions for small craft users issued on Sunday morning:

• Seriously consider postponing your boat trip until the weather and lake conditions have improved.
• If you do go to the lake, check that the boat is seaworthy and of standard length (at least 28 feet).
• Ensure that everyone on board is wearing a life jacket and has fastened it securely before you leave the landing site.
• Wear a raincoat to stay dry and protect yourself from colds and other illnesses.
• Avoid overloading the boat. Ensure that the cargo and passengers are well balanced.
• Do not take more passengers or cargo than you are authorised to carry
• If the boat has an engine, carry plenty of spare fuel. Motor boats use more fuel in rough weather

uganda.uk.com

[Uganda]

Landslides kill two in Rubanda District

PART OF THE AREA DESTROYED BY Landslides

RUBUNDA- Two children were yesterday swept by the raging mudslides in Karengyere village in Kabere Parish in Muko Sub County in Rubanda District killing them instantly.

Kigezi Regional Police Spokesman Elly Maate has confirmed the incident and identified the deceased as two female by names of Ahimbisibwe Everist aged 9 years and Amanya Cleo aged 4 years old both daughters of Atwine Julius.

Maate regretted the incident which he blamed on the torrential rains that are hitting Kigezi Sub Region and can’t be avoided.

Maate said the bodies of the two juveniles were retrieved by the Police and postmortem done by the Police Doctor and bodies handed over to relatives for burial.

Maate has however advised the people living on steep hills to reallocate to safer areas until at the end of the heavy rain season when they can return.

Maziba Primary School at verge of collapse yesterday after heavy rainfall
In a related development, landslides have swept Maziba Sub County razing buildings to the ground.

Maziba Primary School in Maziba Sub County was affected and destroyed but fortunately no death has been reported since pupils are at home.

Other area affected include Kagugo village in Kitoma Parish in Rubaya Sub County where about 100 families are at the verge of collapsing as a result of heavy rainfall while crops are damaged.

By Patson Baraire Mushaija

uganda.uk.com

[Uganda]

Children have been killed by floods

Residents clear up the soils deposited by the landslide

Two children in Rubanda district have been killed by floods, following the heavy rains that have been pounding this region over the past week.

Several houses have since been destroyed, roads washed away, and at least two schools destroyed by floods.

Elly Maate the Kigezi Regional police spokesman says two female juveniles were on Saturday morning at around 9:00am swept by running water.

Most roads in the region have been cut off
This occurred in Karengyere village in Muko Sub County in Rubanda district.

The deceased were identified as; Ahimbisibwe Everist, 9, and Amanya Clao who was only 4.

Kenneth Jogo Biryabarema, the Rubanda district chairman says the deceased were children of one Julius Twinomujuni.

Meanwhile, the district chairman revealed that the rains are continuing to cause a lot of damage. A number of roads such as the Bugongi – Mukaziniro road which was repaired with funds from the office of the prime minister last year has cracked again.

Norah Twenda the Kaharo and Maziba sub counties district woman councillor says that many gardens have been destroyed; and that Rwempunu and Maziba Primary Schools had their blocks demolished by the running waters.

In Nyanja sub county, four bodies were exhumed by the floods according to residents, whereas the house of the Kigarama LCI chairperson Robert Kizza was completely razed down.

Even in Kabale municipality, especially in the northern division several houses have been submerged.

uganda.uk.com

[Uganda]

Sand mining has resumed on the shores of Lake Victoria

 

Sand mining has resumed on the shores of Lake Victoria despite the recent presidential directive to the Minister of Water and Environment to clear all wetlands, riverbanks and lakeshores of encroachers.

The mining site, at Buwaya-Nakiwogo in Wakiso District, is said to be owned by a businesswoman in Bugolobi, Kampala.

When the media visited the site yesterday, it found dredgers scooping sand to the shoreline and two excavators loading it on trucks.

Mr Matia Lwanga Bwanika, the district chairperson, said his engagement with the executive director of the National Environmental Management Authority (Nema), Dr Tom Okurut, revealed that he was aware of the mining.

“He told me they are aware of this group even in Mukono District but when they tried to involve the Nema police, they were unsuccessful. Now they are planning to involve the army but I don’t know when,” he said.

When contacted yesterday, Dr Okurut acknowledged the development and said he would address the public when he gets all the details.

“We are aware about the site. Some action is being taken and we will address the public on Monday [today],” he said.

Mr Bwanika said they had sought the intervention of Mr Noah Njuki, the Resident District Commissioner of Entebbe.

“He is also aware and said it involves big wigs in politics. I then requested him to give me company as head of security and he said he is going to first call the Minister for Security and we go there may be tomorrow (Monday),” Mr Bwanika said.

In an April 21 communication to the Minister of Water and Environment, President Museveni also ordered the expulsion of local leaders, specifically parish and sub-county chiefs, who do not take action against encroachers.

“They are conscious liars and must be removed,” Mr Museveni wrote.

The President also said removal of encroachers should extend to forested areas.

“I am, therefore, directing you to remove all people on the wetlands, shorelines, river banks and government forests except the historical ones in Busoga-Bukedi and Kigyezi that were misled by earlier governments,” he added.
Environmental experts say exploitation of the lake threatens the bionetworks, causing dire consequences.

Dr Fulgencio Kayiso, the programme manager, research, documentation and strategic information at Inter-Religious Council of Uganda, said mining leads to the removal of channel substrate, re-suspension of streambed sediment, clearance of vegetation and stockpiling on the streambed.

Efforts
Other mining activities around Lake Victoria in Wakiso have been halted following the intervention of Mr Matia Lwanga Bwanika, the district chairperson.

However, there still remains some activities at Zziba, Lugumba, Kayeri and Kitubulu areas. In March 2017, Mr Bwanika confronted Chinese miners who questioned his authority to halt their activities. Sand mining is also reported in Buikwe, Mukonoi and Mpigi.

uganda.uk.com

[Uganda]

MUDSLIDES RAVAGE THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF KASESE

Police and Uganda Red Cross society have rescued two pregnant women who got stuck in heavy mudslides caused by floods which ravaged the western district of Kasese.

This was revealed in a statement by deputy spokesperson ACP Polly Namaye on Saturday afternoon.

In the operation, Namaye said teams managed to get out two pregnant women one identified as Martha Muhindo of Isango village in Kitholhu and another yet to be identified.

According to Police, the two were rushed to Bwera hospital where Martha later delivered a baby girl.

In the Friday mission, Police added that another man identified Monday Zephanous aged 32 years was also rescued with serious injuries and rushed to Ikobero heath center for treatment.

Namaye further said the law enforcement body is still on ground to recover, rescue and offer help to the affected victims.

“Uganda Police Force working jointly with civil society organizations and other security agencies have teamed up in a mission to rescue and offer relief to victims of mudslides and floods due to the increasing volumes of water in river Thako and river Lubiriha in Bwera in Kasese district.” She said

Earlier this week, 6 people were reported missing including four (4) members of one family whose house was washed away by the mudslides.

Amongst them, five people have not been recovered but only one body has been found

Those still missing have been identified as: Kabugho Evangiline, Masika Lawrentina, Masika Agnes, Muzumbo Yubu and Mbusa Kyakere

The one whose body was recovered yesterday has been identified as Biira Ferestus of Bughabirwa in Kitholhu Sub county.

These were reportedly swept away on Wednesday night by debris caused by the heavy down power that broke the banks of river Ihubiriha hence sweeping away a bridge connecting Uganda and DRC at Mpondwe border.

uganda.uk.com

[Uganda]

Pastor Daniel Walugembe is a danger to Uganda

A pastor who was last week awarded Shs182 billion through court has rejected the award and petitioned the Court of Appeal, demanding more money in compensation for loss of his business after the cancellation of his permit for sand mining in Lwera, Kalungu District.
Kampala High Court awarded Mr Daniel Walugembe through his company DMW Uganda Limited Shs182 billion as compensation for loss of his business and general damages caused.
However, Mr Walugembe yesterday claimed that the award was less because transaction with the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) was of a commercial nature.

“I acquired a commercial permit but the judge was lenient to give 10 per cent yet the special damages awarded were admitted by both the Attorney General and Nema,” Mr Walugembe said.

Addressing journalists in Kampala, Mr Walugembe explained that the evidence brought to court was defendants’ (Attorney General and Nema) working documents prepared by the government geologists who did the valuation.
“If the judge had given any money outside what was tendered by the geologist, it would be blamed on the court. Nema should not have claimed that it worked on pressure by Parliament because it was not party to the contract,” he added.
Pastor Walugembe’s notice of appeal comes hardly a week after the Attorney General appealed against the court decision.
The court awarded DMW Uganda Limited Shs178 billion as compensation for loss of the business and its earnings and special damages worth Shs3b as well as Shs1 billion in special damages and legal costs incurred.

In the notice of appeal, the Attorney General said he was dissatisfied with the May 20 judgement and that he intends to appeal against the decision.
The court case resulted from a June 2015 with a wetland resource use permit for sand mining on 69.6 hectares comprised in Kakwanzi Village, Kitti Parish, Bukamba Sub-county, Kalungu District, which was to run for three years.
According to the permits, DMW Uganda Limited contracted actuaries to ascertain commercial viability of the project and the same was rightly appraised, with the availability of massive sand deposits.

Court ruled that the projects were halted illegally and without justification and thus causing the plaintiff enormous loss of business which entitles the company to compensation for all the loss it suffered.

Background
Issue. In June 2015, Nema awarded DMW Uganda limited a wetland resource use permit for sand mining on 69.6 hectares comprised in Kakwanzi Village, Kitti Parish, Bukamba Sub-county, Kalungu District, which was to run for a period of three years.

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