NEMA Cracks Down on Kajjansi Wetland Encroachers, Arrests Suspects

The National Environment Management Authority has intensified enforcement against wetland encroachment in Kajjansi, halting illegal construction activities and arresting suspects in a joint operation involving security agencies and environmental officers.

The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has stepped up enforcement operations against wetland encroachment, halting illegal developments and arresting suspects during a joint operation in Kajjansi Wetland.

In a statement issued on Monday, NEMA said the operation was carried out on Sunday, May 31, in collaboration with the Department of Wetlands Management under the Ministry of Water and Environment, local governmentauthorities and security agencies.

The inspection team included officers from NEMA’s Environment Protection Force, the Environmental Protection Police Unit, and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).

According to the authority, the operation targeted ongoing illegal construction activities within the wetland ecosystem, which has increasingly come under pressure from human encroachment.

“During a joint inspection of Kajjansi wetland, teams comprising NEMA’s Environment Protection Force, the Environmental Protection Police Unit, and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces on Sunday 31st May, 2026, stopped illegal constructions and arrests were made. A criminal case file has been opened vide SD REF 04/31/05/2026, and investigations continue,” the statement said.

NEMA said it is taking additional steps to halt further degradation of the wetland and will issue Environment Restoration Orders in line with the National Environment Act, Cap 181, to restore affected areas.

“The Authority is taking steps to halt further degradation in the area and will issue Environment Restoration Orders in accordance with provisions of National Environment Act, Cap 181,” it added.

The authority commended members of the public for reporting illegal activities and said public vigilance has been critical in identifying encroached areas.

“NEMA commends the public for the vigilance and sharing with us areas under encroachment,” it said.

The agency reaffirmed its commitment to environmental protection and safeguarding the constitutional right to a clean and healthy environment.

“NEMA remains committed to protecting Uganda’s environment and ensuring that people enjoy their right to a clean and healthy environment,” the statement noted.

It also issued a fresh warning to individuals occupying wetlands, urging voluntary evacuation before enforcement operations reach their areas.

“All people who have encroached on wetlands across Uganda are reminded to heed our call to peacefully vacate the wetlands before the operations reach them. Enforcement operations will continue until all encroached wetlands have been liberated,” NEMA warned.

Wetlands play a key ecological role in flood control, water purification, biodiversity conservation and climate regulation, with experts repeatedly warning that continued degradation increases risks of flooding, pollution and habitat loss.

The latest operation forms part of NEMA’s wider nationwide campaign to reclaim and protect wetlands from illegal occupation and development.

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