KAMPALA – The Standards, Utilities and Wildlife Court in Kampala has convicted Southern Range Nyanza Limited (SRNL) and fined it 180 million UGX for illegally discharging industrial waste into the River Nile.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The development was announced by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) in a press release issued on June 3, 2026, by the head of communications, Mrs. Naomi Karekaho.
NEMA dragged the company to court for dumping untreated industrial effluent from its Buikwe District factory into the River Nile, breaking Uganda’s environmental laws.
Between April 2024 and November 2025, NYTIL (the company) allegedly released the dirty wastewater, allowing it to flow onto nearby land and into a section of the river.
During the court ruling on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, presided over by the Chief Magistrate of the Standards, Utilities and Wildlife Court, Her Worship Gladys Kamasanyu, the company pleaded guilty to the charges.
Delivering her ruling, Her Worship Kamasanyu imposed a fine of UGX 180 million on NYTIL and ordered the company to fully restore the affected land and the polluted section of the River Nile within 30 days.
The presiding judge further directed the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to closely monitor the process and submit a compliance report to the judiciary.
According to Naomi Karekaho, the River Nile stands as a vital resource for Uganda, providing water, fish, farming, electricity, and support for millions of people, while polluting it harms all beneficiaries.
Naomi, on behalf of NEMA, welcomed the decision, calling it a major enforcement win that reinforces the principle that polluters must bear the full cost of ecosystem degradation.
“This ruling underscores the importance of strict compliance with environmental laws. Protecting the ecological integrity of the River Nile is essential for sustainable development and public well-being,” Naomi said.
Under Section 163 of the National Environment Act, releasing pollutants without meeting required standards is illegal, and the law allows courts to punish offenders and force them to restore damaged environments at their own cost.
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