environment 20 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Illegal Sand Mining in Lwera Threatens Vital Highway, Officials Warn
The Resident District Commissioner of Mpigi has ordered a crackdown on illegal sand mining in Lwera Wetland, citing grave concerns over the practice's detrimental impact on the ongoing Kampala-Masaka Highway upgrade project. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/illegal-sand-mining-in-lwera-threatening-kampala-masaka-highway-mpigi-rdc--5503124
Mpigi District’s Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Sarah Kaweesi Nannono, has called for immediate and intensified security and environmental operations against rampant sand extraction in the Lwera Wetland.
The directive comes in response to alarming reports from China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), the contractor responsible for the Kampala-Masaka Highway upgrade. They have voiced concerns that the uncontrolled sand mining activities near the roadway are accelerating environmental degradation and could compromise the structural integrity of the highway.
“The level of destruction we have witnessed here is alarming. We cannot allow a few individuals to jeopardize a critical national project and cause losses to taxpayers through illegal sand mining,” stated Ms. Nannono during a recent inspection of the wetland.
She has instructed the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the District Environment Office, the Uganda Police Force, and local leadership to bolster enforcement measures and bring an immediate halt to all illegal sand extraction. “Protecting our environment and public infrastructure is a shared responsibility. All responsible agencies must work together to enforce the law and safeguard this important national investment,” she added, also appealing to local communities for support.
This renewed push follows previous efforts by NEMA and security agencies, which had resulted in arrests and the seizure of equipment earlier in the year. However, reports indicate that some operators persist with illegal mining, posing continued risks.
Lwera Wetland is a crucial ecosystem for water regulation and biodiversity. Environmental experts warn that unchecked sand mining can disrupt water channels, create hazardous pits, and weaken the wetland’s ecological functions, directly impacting vital infrastructure like the Kampala-Masaka Highway.