Her Worship Gladys Kamasanyu, the Chief Magistrate of the Standards, Utilities and Wildlife Court, 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.
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.
In Criminal Case No. SUW 118/2026, NYTIL was charged with unlawfully discharging pollutants into the environment in violation of Uganda’s environmental laws and standards.
Acting on its mandate to enforce environmental laws, NEMA inspectors conducted investigations, gathered evidence of the unlawful discharge into neighbouring land and the River Nile, and instituted and prosecuted the case before court.
Court heard that between April 2024 and November 2025, the company discharged industrial effluent from its facility in Buikwe District onto neighbouring land and into a section of the River Nile without meeting the prescribed environmental standards.
Upon conviction, Tuesday 2nd June 2026, 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 National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to monitor the restoration process and file a compliance report.
