NEBBI ENVIRONMENT POLICE ARREST FIVE PEOPLE FOR ENCROACHING ON WETLANDS

ALFRED DORUMBE

NEBBI. The environmental Police Unit have arrested five people for allegedly encroaching on wetlands in greater Nebbi.

According to Joseph Engol, the commissioner at the ministry of water and Sanitation revealed confirms the arrest and states that the suspects were found carrying out activities on wetlands located in Acodhu bridge, Parombo town council, Nebbi.

According to Engol, the suspects were picked on Thursday 9^th February after the district leadership raised concerns about the rampant human activities degrading the environment.

//CUE IN JOSEPH ENGOL.ENG

The RDC Nebbi Robert Abak says that human activities on wetlands, swamps are prohibited by the laws of Uganda. He called upon all stakeholders like the police the LC1 to sensitize the communities and plant trees along the river banks.

“You are diverting the water flow; it’s bad you are destroying the environment. The LCs and parish chiefs it’s your responsibility to sensitize the communities and you are not doing your work.” He observed.

He urged the communities to desist from destroying the environment by planting trees. He promised to distribute tree seedlings so that trees are restored at the riverbed.

“I feel so bad when people say that this is the only source of survival like brick making. From today stop this activity.” He said.

He vowed to continue arresting whoever caught encroaching on wetlands in the district.

Nebbi district police commander Amisi Kayondo revealed that responsible people in the communities are taking lead in destroying the environment.

“We shall not allow this because our grand children and our children are going to die. This is just a starting point we are going to come back,” said Kayondo.

He said that among suspects arrested are one primary school teacher, catechist and three others.

He added that the suspects were laying bricks, sand mining among other human activities at water beds.

The accused have been transferred to the Nebbi district police station for investigations.

According to environmental law, one is liable to serve 12 years in imprisonment or pay a fine of six million