A court in Kampala sentenced Turkish national Karim Ray to a fine of Shs200 million on July 16 after he pleaded guilty to clearing vegetation and dumping murram in a wetland, actions that contravene environmental laws.
Karim Ray, 53, the director of Yaman International Limited, appeared before the Standards, Wildlife, and Utilities Court in Kampala. Chief Magistrate Gladys Kamasanyu stated that in default of the fine, Ray would face a five-year prison term.
Chief Magistrate Kamasanyu emphasized the need to send a stern warning against those who abuse wetlands, a practice she noted is increasing. “These acts are on the rise, and there is a need to stop the virus. Wetlands filter water by retaining solid waste, reducing the impact of flooding, and slowing water flow. They are homes for aquatic life, and when murram is deposited in wetlands, it suffocates them, leading to significant consequences for humans and nature,” she explained.
Kamasanyu added, “The convicts pleaded guilty and did not waste the court’s time and resources. They do not deserve maximum punishment but need help to change. The punishments should send a message to others who have not yet been arrested.”
Breaking down the sentence, Ray was fined Shs150 million for failing to comply with conditions stipulated in the certificate of approval and Shs50 million for depositing murram in a wetland.
Ray’s co-accused, Eric Avunalo, a manager at Rock Build Investment Limited, was sentenced to a caution upon entering his guilty plea. The trial chief magistrate held that Avunalo was unaware that the area he was back-filling was not approved.
The court found Ray and Avunalo guilty of failing to comply with conditions stipulated in the certificate of approval of a project brief of environmental and social impact assessment and depositing murram in a section of the Lwajali wetland system measuring 0.8 acres without authorization from the lead agency, contrary to the National Environment Act.
According to court documents, Karim’s concrete construction company was issued an Environmental Impact Assessment Certificate to develop a project on 0.4 acres on June 14, 2024. However, an inspection revealed that he had cleared 2.1 acres and backfilled it with murram.
The prosecution argued that on June 30, 2024, at Gongobe Village, Seeta Parish, Goma Division in Mukono District, Ray failed to comply with condition 4(iii) of the Environment and Social Impact Assessment Certificate Number 18516 issued to Yaman Construction Limited by extending beyond the area authorized in the certificate of approval. The prosecution further stated that the duo deposited murram into a section of the Lwajali wetland system measuring 0.8 acres without authorization from the lead agency.
