By Our Reporter
NATIONAL
The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has carried out a two day operation at Kwanira village in Mpigi district and Kamuwunga village in Kalungu targeting illegal sand mining.
The operation that ended on Wednesday, 15th April, 2026, was co-ordinated by NEMA through its Environment Protection Force, UPDF and Uganda Police in coordination with the Ministry of Water and Environment.
The operation that NEMA calls ‘decisive’ led to the impounding of eight Sino trucks used for the transportation of the sand and are currently held at Lubigi Police Station.
At the Kalungu site, over 50 boats used in transporting the illegally mined sand were destroyed on site, six suspects were arrested and are also being held at Lubigi Police Station.
A NEMA statement issued today, Thursday, 16th April, 2026 says that officials also collected critical evidence including GPS Coordinates and photographic documentation to support prosecution.
NEMA says investigations confirmed that sand mining was being carried out on the two sites without requisite approval from NEMA.
“In Mpigi, operators were extracting sand on dry land without authorization, while in Kalungu, illegal mining was being carried out along the Masaka-Kampala Highway using boats and manual tools,” reads NEMA statement.
These activities according to NEMA, pose environmental risks, including land degradation, eco-system destruction and potential damage to infrastructure.
NEMA has promised to prosecute the perpetrators or impose administrative fines in accordance with the law.
