By Lucky Patrick
Fort Portal city authorities, have asked the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) to prosecute a private developer for erecting an illegal structure along the banks of River Mpanga.
Philemon Asiimwe, an Investor in Fort Portal City, is accused of grading and dumping soil in the river. Asiimwe the private developer, plans to construct a washing bay, cottages, and a fuel station along the river bank.
According to the letter written by the Fort Portal City Clerk Moses Otimong to the State Attorney Fort Portal City, the authorities want Asiimwe prosecuted for repeatedly and adamantly refusing to adhere to the Physical Planning Act.
Clause 2 of the Physical planning (amended) act 2020 provides Ugandans with a right to live in a clean and healthy environment in accordance with article 39 of the Ugandan Constitution. This therefore assigns every Ugandan a duty to create, maintain and enhance a well planned environment.
John Bosco Rusoke, the Deputy City Clerk Fort Portal, says the illegal activities by the developer are leading to heavy pollution and degradation of the major water source in the area, which is against the law. Rusoke, adds that the developer has gone ahead to intimidate council authorities.
Samuel Musana, the Fort Portal City Physical Planner, says that the construction of the structures by the developer was not approved. He says that they are waiting for a response from the State Attorney.
Edson Ruyonga, the Fort Portal City Mayor, accused a section of the technical staff of approving construction in protected areas. He says that it is embarrassing and shocking to find a number of permanent structures along the river banks and wonders how they were constructed in the presence of an enforcement office.
Asiimwe, could not be reached for a comment at the moment.
For several years, River Mpanga’s flow and quality has been severely affected by human activity. Encroachment, sand and stone extraction, poor agricultural practices, and pollution have taken their toll and reduced its flow.
However, the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) seeks close to 12Bn UgX to establish catchment at River Mpanga that will aid in regaining its initial flow, according to Dr. Brian Guma the team leader Albertine water region in the environment and water week 2022.
Meanwhile, pollution of the river has also affected the quality of water supplied to Fort Portal residents, which has attracted attention of many well wishers to run the Save River Mpanga Campaign continuously, the most recent being the save river Mpanga Marathon by the MWE in Partnership with Tooro Kingdom last week.
