The Standards, Utilities and Wildlife Court in Kampala has convicted and fined Southern Range Nyanza Limited (NYTIL) Shs180 million after the company pleaded guilty to illegally discharging industrial effluent onto neighbouring land and into a section of the River Nile.
The River Nile is a vital national resource that supports water supply, fisheries, agriculture, hydropower generation, biodiversity conservation, and the livelihoods of millions of Ugandans. Protecting the river remains critical to environmental sustainability and national development.
NYTIL was charged with unlawfully discharging pollutants into the environment in contravention of Uganda’s environmental laws and regulatory standards.
In line with its mandate to enforce environmental compliance, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) conducted investigations, gathered evidence of illegal effluent discharge into neighbouring land and the River Nile, and subsequently instituted criminal proceedings against the company.
Court heard that between April 2024 and November 2025, NYTIL discharged industrial effluent from its facility in Buikwe District onto neighbouring land and into a section of the River Nile without meeting the required environmental standards.
On Tuesday, June 2, 2026, Chief Magistrate Gladys Kamasanyu convicted the company following its guilty plea and imposed a fine of Shs180 million. The court also ordered NYTIL to restore the affected land and the polluted section of the River Nile within 30 days.
Additionally, the court directed NEMA to supervise the restoration exercise and submit a compliance report to ensure full environmental recovery.
