The Utilities, Wildlife, and Standards court has imposed a fine of Shs 217 million on seven Chinese nationals who pleaded guilty to disturbing the Lwera wetland.
Chief Magistrate Gladys Kamasanyu sentenced each convict—Liang Cheng Wu, Ui Wen Hu, Lian Cheng Xiang, Hu Dong Xu, Ge Xing Liang, Zie Gong Zuo, and Wang Peichuan—to pay Shs 31 million or face a four-year jail term.
The convicts were arrested on July 8 by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and environmental police in Kamuwunga village, Lukaya town council, Kalungu district, for drilling in the wetland in a manner that could cause ecological damage.
Prosecutor Judith Nyamwiza sought a deterrent sentence due to the significant environmental impact, while defense attorney Grace Byaruhanga requested leniency, highlighting the convicts’ cooperation with the court.
