The Minister for Water and Environment Sam Cheptoris said National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) never issued a certificate of operation to Chinese company Mango Tree Group to dredge Lake Victoria. Mango Tree Group a company initially registered a Ship making company is currently dredging the lake saying it is creating a sailing channel for a vessel on Lake Victoria. Last year the company was in the spot for illegal sand mining in Kawuku Wakiso district. “Even NEMA does not have the permission, does not have the authority to give a permit to dredge in a lake so all those doing that are doing it illegally. And you have heard of this Mango Tree.” Said, Sam Cheptoris – Minister of Water and Environment. “The Ministry of Fisheries, the Minister in-charge of Agriculture and Fisheries have given the science to tell us that mining sand will destroy the fishery and so we can’t go there.” Said, Dr. Tom Okurut – Executive Director, NEMA.

Cheptoris’s comments come in a week of go-ahead by the State Minister for Trade and Investment Michael Werikhe to dredge the lake. This was at an event in Bugiri, Bukasa in Katabi at which the Deputy Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation Lt. Gen. Charles Angina also spoke. “When you talk of dredging, people think it is sand mining, these are two different things.” Said, Michael Werikhe – State Minister for Trade and Industry. “This is a blessing that is going to unlock the water transport.” Said, Lt. Gen. Charles Angina – Deputy National Coordinator, OWC.

Now as the number of activities causing environmental degradation rise, the Water and Environment Ministry says it is coming up with a new Bill containing recommendations for stringent punishments against those who damage the environment. The new Bill is intended to regulate the activities of sand and clay mining, waste management, pollution and use of plastics. “There is a need for a brand new law that comes in with a lot of enforcement opportunities for the government in as far as penalties are also concerned.” Said, Alex Byarugaba – MP, Isingiro South. “But this one helps to strengthen and consolidate the law and especially on that part of enforcement which will help actually to completely leap in the bad.” Said, John Baptist Nambeshe – MP Manjiya County. The Bill is currently before the Natural Resources Committee of Parliament.