Police Arrest Activists Protesting Destruction of Lwera Wetland Outside NEMA Offices

Police on Wednesday arrested two environmental activists who were protesting outside the offices of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) over the ongoing degradation of Lwera wetland.

The demonstrators, affiliated with the Weka Afri Sustainable Biodiversity and Food Security Foundation, staged a peaceful protest on Jinja Road as part of their 'Save Lwera' campaign.

The campaign is aimed at drawing attention to what they describe as rampant and illegal activities endangering one of Uganda’s most critical wetland ecosystems.

Carrying placards and chanting slogans, the activists accused the government of failing to act, and alleged that some state institutions were complicit in the destruction of the wetland.

They pointed to large-scale rice farming and sand mining operations in Lwera, which they said were being carried out by business interests with links to influential government officials.

“We are here to demand accountability. Lwera is not just a swamp—it is a living system that filters our water, controls floods, and hosts a diversity of species,” said one of the demonstrators before police detained them.

“If NEMA cannot stop the destruction, then who will?”

Located along the Kampala–Masaka highway, the Lwera wetland plays a vital role in maintaining ecological balance.

It forms part of the Lake Victoria basin and contributes to natural water purification and the regulation of water flow into Lake Victoria.

Environmentalists warn that continued degradation will have far-reaching consequences, including reduced water quality, increased flooding, and loss of habitat for several species.

This is not the first time environmental activists have sounded the alarm.

Over the years, civil society organisations, academics, and some legislators have raised concerns over the commercial exploitation of Lwera, with repeated calls for NEMA and the Ministry of Water and Environment to rein in activities that breach wetland protection laws.

However, enforcement has remained weak, with critics pointing to selective implementation and opaque licensing processes.

In 2023, a parliamentary committee noted that some firms operating in Lwera did not meet environmental standards but continued to receive permits.

As police took the two protesters into custody, there was no immediate statement from either NEMA or the Uganda Police Force.

Passersby who witnessed the incident described the demonstration as peaceful and orderly before officers arrived to disperse it.

The arrests are likely to deepen tensions between environmental advocates and government regulators, particularly at a time when Uganda is grappling with the broader effects of climate change and loss of natural ecosystems.

The Weka Afri Foundation says it will continue to push for public engagement on the matter, and has called for a full audit of all business operations within Lwera wetland, including the revocation of licences that contravene environmental guidelines.