The National Environmental Management Authority(NEMA) has issued approval for water shore developments at Speke Resort hotel Munyonyo.

This week, social media has been flooded with viral videos showing tractors and trucks on-site raising part of the resort compound near the lake, sparking a debate among citizens, with some accusing the Ruparelia Group of encroaching on the water body and NEMA of laxity in oversight.

However, in their statement on July 18, NEMA acknowledged granting approval to the Ruparelia Group to revamp the affected area, which had been impacted by the rise in water levels of the Victoria basin from 2019.

“This video of Speke Resort Munyonyo’s works was trending on social media yesterday. As you might be aware, Uganda will host the Non-Aligned Movement & G-77 Conferences next year. Venue: Munyonyo Common Wealth Resort, as such the compound is being raised to prevent flooding of the gardens. The approval given required management to replant grass that was removed from the same area,” an official statement from NEMA reads.

“The approval given required management to replant grass that was removed from the same area. However, NEMA will follow up to ensure compliance with the approval, particularly the maintenance of Lake Victoria’s integrity,” it added

We thank the general public for the environment alertness and vigilance.

Together we shall ensure sustainable development. pic.twitter.com/AE0mNqgIKS

— National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) (@nemaug) July 18, 2023

NEMA also emphasised that the law allows the government to carry out projects (in the interest of public good) on public lands such as roads, railway lines, and marinas, among others in wetlands, provided they adhere to the conditions given by NEMA.

“Also, please recall that the law gives Government permission to build projects (in the interest of public good) on public lands e.g roads, railway lines, marinas etc in wetlands provided they follow conditions given by NEMA,” NEMA concludes.

The development of the Convention Centre in Munyonyo is a 50-50 joint venture between the tycoon and the government under the Uganda Development Corporation (UDC).

It will be the biggest convention centre in the region upon completion.