The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has initiated an investigation into claims that Victoria Sugar factory in Luwero district is polluting the environment by discharging untreated industrial waste into wetlands and contaminating community water sources.
Situated in Ndibulungi village, Butuntumula sub-county, the factory has come under scrutiny following allegations that wastewater from its operations is being released directly into Lubenge wetland, a crucial water catchment area for the local population.
Community leaders and environmental advocates have raised concerns over the facility’s waste disposal practices, with some accusing the company of ignoring repeated warnings.
NEMA’s executive director, Dr. Barirega Akankwasa, confirmed that a team had been deployed to assess the claims and determine whether the factory was in violation of environmental regulations.
“We have received credible reports indicating that the factory is discharging waste onto community roads and into nearby wetlands. There are also allegations that sugarcane is being cultivated in these protected areas,” Akankwasa stated.
The allegations extend beyond industrial pollution, with local leaders claiming that factory workers lack proper sanitation facilities, leading to open defecation, which further exacerbates the risk of water contamination. Akankwasah said the investigation would establish the veracity of these claims and, if confirmed, appropriate action would be taken.
Isaac Wampamba, a district councillor for Butuntumula sub-county, has been vocal about the environmental impact of the factory’s activities. He asserts that the continued discharge of industrial effluent into the wetland threatens the livelihoods and health of nearby communities.
“The wastewater from Victoria Sugar factory is flowing directly into Lubenge wetland. This is the primary source of water for many residents, and contamination poses serious health risks. Efforts to engage the management of the factory on this matter have not yielded any tangible results,” Wampamba said.
Samuel Kiwanzi, chairperson of Kyamwinula local council, echoed similar concerns, stating that untreated waste is often disposed of along community roads before finding its way into local water bodies.
“This pollution is affecting our people. The waste is not only dumped recklessly, but it eventually seeps into the streams used by residents for domestic purposes. We are appealing to the government to intervene and ensure environmental protection laws are enforced,” Kiwanzi added.
Additionally, residents have reported that a previously functioning dam system that supplied clean water to the community has been destroyed, further exacerbating the water crisis in the area. The absence of a proper waste treatment facility at the factory has heightened frustrations among locals, who demand immediate action.
Attempts to get an official response from Victoria Sugar’s spokesperson, Esther Ayoko, were unsuccessful. However, a factory employee, Lazarus Mawadri, dismissed the allegations, claiming he was unaware of any recent grievances regarding pollution.
“I have not heard any complaints about wastewater being released into water bodies. This is news to me,” Mawadri said, adding that the company had previously worked with NEMA to address environmental concerns.
“The authorities visited us and gave us guidelines on how to manage waste. We followed their instructions,” he noted.
Despite these assurances, NEMA’s head of communications, Naomi Karekaho, confirmed that Victoria Sugar had faced compliance challenges in the past. She acknowledged that the agency had been working closely with the factory to resolve environmental concerns, but with fresh allegations emerging, a thorough investigation was necessary.
The findings of NEMA’s probe are expected to be crucial in determining whether Victoria Sugar has breached environmental laws and what regulatory action, if any, will be taken.
Meanwhile, residents continue to urge authorities to act swiftly to prevent further environmental degradation and safeguard their water sources from contamination.
