The Chief Magistrate of the Standards, Utilities and Wildlife Court, Her Worship Gladys Kamasanyu, has convicted and fined Southern Range Nyanza Limited (NYTIL) UGX 180 million after the company pleaded guilty to illegally discharging industrial effluent onto neighbouring land and into a section of the River Nile.
According to court records, NYTIL was charged under Criminal Case No. SUW 118/2026 with unlawfully discharging pollutants into the environment, in violation of Uganda’s environmental laws and prescribed standards.
Prosecution told court that between April 2024 and November 2025, the company released industrial effluent from its facility in Buikwe District onto adjacent land and into a section of the River Nile, without complying with the required environmental standards.
Upon conviction on Tuesday, Her Worship Kamasanyu imposed a fine of UGX 180 million and ordered the company to restore the affected land and the polluted section of the River Nile within 30 days.
The court further directed the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to monitor the restoration process and submit a compliance report.
NEMA’s Head of Corporate Communications, Naomi Karekaho, said the authority acted within its mandate by investigating the case, collecting evidence of the unlawful discharge, and prosecuting the matter in court.
She welcomed the ruling, saying it reinforces the importance of compliance with environmental laws and the principle that polluters must take responsibility for restoring degraded ecosystems.
“The River Nile is a vital national resource that supports water supply, fisheries, agriculture, hydropower, biodiversity, and millions of livelihoods. Protecting its ecological integrity is essential for sustainable development and public well-being,” she said.
Section 163 of the National Environment Act, Cap. 181 prohibits the discharge of pollutants contrary to prescribed standards and empowers courts to penalise offenders and order restoration at the polluter’s cost.
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