By Amos Ssemuwemba
A court in Kampala has convicted seven Chinese nationals for illegally drilling in the Lwera wetland located in Central Uganda. The group initially claimed to be tourists but later admitted guilt. This plea came during a hearing at the Chief Magistrate’s Court of Standards, Utilities, and Wildlife in Makindye, overseen by Magistrate Gladys Kamasanyu.
The convicted individuals, identified as Liang Cheng Wu, Ui We Hu, Lian Cheng Xiang, Hu Dong, Xu Xie, Gong ZuoGe, Xing Liang, and Wany Piechuan, pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy and disturbing a wetland, both of which are violations under Ugandan law.
Prosecution, led by Judith Nyamweza, amended the charges to include conspiracy to drill the Lwera wetland in collaboration with Double Q Company Limited. Nyamweza urged the court to impose a harsh sentence to deter similar offenses, citing the widespread issue of wetland encroachment in Uganda, which has serious consequences for both the environment and local communities.
Despite this, the defendants’ lawyer requested a lenient sentence, arguing that the convicts had not wasted the court’s time and were first-time offenders.
The prosecution outlined that the illegal activities took place on July 8, 2024, at Kamuwunga Village, within the Kalungu District Lukaya Town Council. The group conducted these operations without obtaining necessary approvals from the National Environment and Management Authority (NEMA). The seven Chinese investors were apprehended by NEMA officers in conjunction with Uganda’s environmental police.