NEMA Arrests Investor, Four Others for Illegal Wetland Dumping in Jinja City

The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) enforcement officers have arrested Magan Patel, founder of the MMP Group, for filling the Bugembe wetland with soil.

MMP Group, a diversified conglomerate in Uganda, known for leading companies like Nile Agro Industries in Jinja City, focuses on agriculture, oil, soap, and household goods.

Patel’s arrest, along with four others, came after a NEMA crackdown on illegal wetland degradation activities in Jinja City, citing unauthorised dumping of murram in a protected wetland area.

In a press release issued on Monday, December 29, 2025, NEMA said the operation was carried out with support from the Ministry of Water and Environment following a tip-off about illegal backfilling of a wetland in Danida Village, Masese II.

The enforcement action took place on Sunday, December 28, during which NEMA officers intercepted ongoing dumping activities. Authorities arrested five suspects, including an investor reported to be of Asian origin, and impounded five Sino trucks and two tractors suspected to have been used in the illegal operation.

According to NEMA, the suspects were transferred to Kampala to facilitate further investigations. Two of the suspects were later released on police bond due to medical reasons, while the remaining individuals are expected to be arraigned in court later this week once investigations are concluded.

NEMA’s legal team is finalising the case file under Section 55 of the National Environment Act, Cap. 181, which strictly protects wetlands and water bodies from encroachment, backfilling, or construction without authorisation.

Under the law, offenders found guilty of wetland degradation face fines of up to Shs600 million, imprisonment of up to 12 years, or both.

“NEMA reiterates its commitment to protecting Uganda’s wetlands and calls upon the public, investors, and developers to comply with environmental laws and to report suspected violations through established channels,” said Naomi N. Karekaho, Head of Corporate Communications at NEMA.

Uganda has, in recent years, intensified enforcement against wetland encroachment as part of broader efforts to safeguard water resources, mitigate flooding, and preserve ecological systems critical to livelihoods and climate resilience.