The Makindye Standards, Utilities and Wildlife Court has convicted PRO Industries Pte Limited for illegally discharging untreated industrial waste into Ngaju Wetland in Luweero District.
The court, presided over by Chief Magistrate Her Worship Gladys Kamasanyu, found the company guilty after its manager, Adrian Caesar Mugabe, pleaded guilty on behalf of the firm.
Mugabe admitted before the court that the company’s facility had been discharging untreated wastewater and sludge into the wetland located in Ndibulungi Village, Kakabala Parish, Butuntumula Sub-county, along the Kampala–Gulu Highway.
He, however, informed the court that the company had since installed a new wastewater treatment system and taken steps to address the environmental damage caused.
Following the plea, the court fined the company UGX 75 million and ordered it to fully restore the degraded wetland area within 30 days under the supervision of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
According to the prosecution, the company was charged with failure to comply with conditions stipulated in the Certificate of Approval of an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), contrary to Section 157(f) and (ii) of the National Environment Act, Cap. 181.
The court heard that between November 2025 and January 2026, PRO Industries Pte Limited violated conditions attached to its environmental approval certificate despite holding Certificate No. NEMA/EIA/16265.
Prosecutors said the company breached Conditions 4.2 and 4.5 of the certificate by releasing untreated wastewater and sludge into the wetland.
Investigations further revealed that the contaminated effluent spread into the wetland and nearby private properties, affecting vegetation and neighbouring gardens.
Water samples collected from the site reportedly contained carbon dioxide levels that exceeded the permissible standards for industrial effluent discharge.
NEMA Head of Corporate Communications Naomi Karekaho welcomed the court ruling, describing it as a significant step in enforcing environmental protection laws.
She said holding polluters accountable is critical in safeguarding communities, biodiversity and Uganda’s natural resources.
“The ruling reinforces Uganda’s legal commitment to protecting fragile ecosystems and sends a clear message that environmental violations will not be tolerated,” Karekaho said.
