Seven Chinese Nationals Fined 217 Million Shillings for Unauthorized Sand Drilling at Lwera Wetland

7 Chinese Nationals have been fined 217m shillings by the Utilities, wildlife and Standards court for drilling Sand from Lwera Wetland without a license.

The Court presided over by Chief Magistrate Gladys Kamasanyu heard that the group and others still at large on 8th July 2024 at Kamuwunga village Magezi Kizungu Parish Lukaya Town Council disturbed Lwera wetland by drilling it in a manner that is likely to destroy it.

They were convicted following their plea of guilty.

During the hearing, the prosecution amended the charge sheet to include an additional count of conspiracy to drill Lwera Wetland and added Double Q Company Limited as a defendant.

The accused initially denied the charges, claiming they were tourists, but later admitted to the offenses because they did not have a license to conduct mining activities in the wetland.

The prosecution led by Judith Nyamwiza requested a deterrent sentence. She highlighted the impact of the investors’ actions on the environment and dependent residents.