The Standards, Utilities and Wildlife Court in Kampala has fined Southern Range Nyanza Limited (NYTIL) UGX 180 million after the company admitted illegally discharging industrial waste onto neighboring land and into a section of the River Nile.
Chief Magistrate Gladys Kamasanyu delivered the ruling on June 2, 2026, after the company pleaded guilty to violating Uganda’s environmental laws through the unlawful disposal of industrial effluent from its facility in Buikwe District.
According to the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), investigations revealed that the company discharged pollutants onto adjacent land and into the River Nile between April 2024 and November 2025 without meeting the country’s prescribed environmental standards.
The prosecution was brought by NEMA after inspectors gathered evidence linking the company to the environmental violations. The case was filed under Criminal Case No. SUW 118/2026.
In addition to the financial penalty, the court ordered Southern Range Nyanza Limited to restore both the affected land and the polluted section of the River Nile within 30 days.
The court further directed NEMA to oversee the restoration exercise and submit a compliance report to ensure the company fulfills its obligations.
NEMA welcomed the ruling, describing it as a significant step in enforcing environmental accountability and protecting one of the country’s most important natural resources.
The River Nile is a critical source of water, food, energy, and livelihoods for millions of people. It supports agriculture, fisheries, hydropower generation, biodiversity, and domestic water supply across Uganda and beyond.
Environmental authorities said the judgment reinforces the principle that companies found responsible for environmental degradation must bear the cost of restoring damaged ecosystems.
The environmental watchdog noted that Uganda’s National Environment Act prohibits the discharge of pollutants beyond approved standards and empowers courts to impose fines and restoration orders against offenders.
The ruling is expected to serve as a warning to industries that fail to comply with environmental regulations as authorities intensify efforts to protect the country’s natural resources from pollution.
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