Seven Chinese nationals accused of degrading the environment have been convicted and fined today at the Standards, Utilities, and Wildlife Court.
This is after they pleaded guilty to several charges, including Disturbing a Wetlant by Drilling, and Conspiracy to Commit an Offense.
The court imposed fines totalling 280 million Uganda Shillings or 3 years jail time if the fines remain unpaid.
The accused were arrested early this month by National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) officials for carrying out illegal sand mining in the Lwera wetland.
They were working for Double Q Co. Limited, at the time of their arrest on July 8, 2024.
According to NEMA the individuals continued to carry out unauthorized sand mining activities despite previous orders to cease operations and restore the wetland.
The prosecution led by Judith Nyamwiza, Senior State Attorney, representing the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions found that the company violated environmental regulations by failing to secure the necessary permits for these activities.
They were charged under the National Environment Act.
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