A court has fined PRO Industries Pte Limited Shs 75 million for contaminating Ngaju Wetland in Ndibulungi Village, Luweero District, after the company was found guilty of releasing untreated industrial waste into the ecosystem.
The ruling was delivered by Chief Magistrate Gladys Kamasanyu, following a guilty plea from the company’s manager, Adrian Caesar Mugabe, who appeared in court on behalf of the firm.
Mugabe admitted that wastewater and sludge from the factory had been discharged into the wetland but told the court that the company has since installed a modern treatment system and begun efforts to address the environmental damage.
In addition to the fine, the court directed the company to restore the affected section of the wetland within 30 days, with the restoration process to be monitored by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
Investigations revealed that the company violated conditions attached to its Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) certificate, which regulates how industrial facilities manage waste and protect surrounding ecosystems.
According to NEMA, the pollution occurred between November 2025 and January 2026, when the factory continued to release untreated effluent despite holding a valid environmental certificate. The contamination spread beyond the wetland into nearby properties, destroying vegetation and affecting gardens belonging to residents in the area. Laboratory tests also detected carbon dioxide concentrations in the water that exceeded legally permitted discharge levels.
Environmental authorities welcomed the court’s decision, describing it as an important step in protecting wetlands and holding industries accountable for environmental damage.
NEMA said it will continue intensifying enforcement of environmental regulations and warned that companies that fail to comply with ESIA requirements risk facing legal action.
The Authority also called on investors and developers to strictly follow environmental guidelines and secure the necessary approvals before carrying out projects that may affect sensitive ecosystems.
