Lwera wetland activists face threats after NEMA arrest

Arrests at NEMA flipped a peaceful wetland petition into a month behind bars, and the backlash has spiraled into threats, beatings, and livelihoods wrecked.

Arrests over Lwera Wetland protest

• Eight activists walked into the National Environment Management Authority with a petition.
• Police grabbed the group and slapped them with public nuisance charges.
• The court remanded them to prison for a month before bail came through.
• Since the release, several say they face threats and physical attacks.

Claims of intimidation and assault

• Zaina said strangers beat her and snatched her phone.
• Unknown callers allegedly pressured campaigners to ditch the Lwera fight.
• Fear has gripped participants who say they live on edge.
• Activists claim harassment kicked off after their time in custody.

Flooding and health fallout near Lwera

• Fiona Nalusiba linked sand mining and rice farming to worse floods.
• Villages reportedly see gardens submerged during heavy rains.
• Chemical spraying in rice fields allegedly contaminates shared water.
• Residents described stomach illness after spraying days.

Accusations against Uganda Wildlife Authority

• Nalusiba accused the Uganda Wildlife Authority of ignoring warning signs.
• Dead birds were allegedly found after drinking from polluted water.
• Activists say official inaction signals indifference.
• Wetland damage allegedly continues without intervention.

Economic hit for Nasser Jafali

• Nasser Jafali said prison time cost him his factory job.
• Managers at a Chinese-run plant allegedly terminated his position.
• Flooding destroyed his mother’s clinic in Kamuwunga.
• Jafali argued activists are punished while degraders profit.

Pressure on Joachim Mumbere

• Joachim Mumbere leads Weka Afri Sustainable Biodiversity and Food Security Foundation.
• Anonymous callers allegedly dangled bribes to drop the campaign.
• Mumbere claimed illegal sand mining licenses are circulating.
• Corruption accusations stretch from village leaders upward.

Silence from local leadership

• Kamuwunga village chairperson declined to discuss the wetland publicly.
• Jafali said joint petition efforts with leaders have stalled.
• Mumbere blamed bribery for the lack of cooperation.
• Residents recalled President Yoweri Museveni promising to cancel wetland land titles.