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Mpigi, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Mpigi District Executive Committee has halted the operations of three sand mining companies in Nkozi sub county over environmental degradation. The companies include DOC-T Company Limited, JBC and JAMASCO Company Limited, and Tripple 3.
The decision to suspend the operations was taken after the committee toured sand pits and mining areas in Lwera village, Nkozi sub county. The committee found that many of the sand miners did not have permits from the National Environment Management Authority-NEMA and from the district environment office.
The LCV chairperson, Martin Ssejjemba said that the companies did not possess environment permits and licenses. He castigated the rampant environmental destruction by the unregistered companies and illegal occupants of wetlands.
Ssejjemba directed the proprietors of the companies operating illegally to report to the district with immediate effect to present their documents while those responsible for the sand pits cover them immediately.
Ssejjemba added that they are going to make arrangements to invite all the companies in the sand mining business for a meeting to provide them with guidance on how to operate in line with the regulations.
Harriet Nalumu, the Secretary for Finance said that they decided to carry out an impromptu inspection without involving the technical staff. She said that the move followed claims of low revenue by the technocrats despite the abundance of natural resources in the district.
Hajati Aisha Nakirijja, one of the leaders in the district expressed concern how some of the sand miners operating illegally are guarded by armed men.
Nkozi sub county chairperson, Francis Bbuye said that out of more than 30 sand mining companies, only three companies were found operating legally. They include Kamaliba Community Association, Hong Kong investment, Parkison and Grapes Company.
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