Court Fines NYTIL UGX 180 Million for Polluting River Nile

The Standards, Utilities and Wildlife Court has convicted and fined Southern Range Nyanza Limited (NYTIL) UGX 180 million after the company pleaded guilty to illegally discharging industrial effluent onto neighbouring land and into a section of the River Nile.

The judgment was delivered by Her Worship Gladys Kamasanyu, Chief Magistrate of the Standards, Utilities and Wildlife Court, on Tuesday, 2 June 2026.

According to Naomi N. Karekaho, Head of Corporate Communications at the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the Authority conducted investigations after receiving reports of environmental pollution. NEMA inspectors gathered evidence of the unlawful discharge and subsequently instituted criminal proceedings against the company.

Court heard that between April 2024 and November 2025, NYTIL discharged industrial effluent from its facility in Buikwe District onto neighbouring land and into a section of the River Nile without meeting the prescribed environmental standards.

In Criminal Case No. SUW 118/2026, the company was charged with unlawfully discharging pollutants into the environment in contravention of Uganda’s environmental laws and standards.

Karekaho noted that the River Nile is a vital national resource that supports water supply, fisheries, agriculture, hydropower generation, biodiversity and millions of livelihoods. She emphasized that protecting its ecological integrity is critical for sustainable development and public well-being.

Upon conviction, the court imposed a fine of UGX 180 million and ordered the company to restore the affected land and the polluted section of the River Nile within 30 days.

The court further directed NEMA to monitor the restoration process and submit a compliance report on the company’s adherence to the restoration order.

NEMA welcomed the ruling, describing it as a strong reminder of the importance of complying with environmental laws and regulations. The Authority noted that the decision reinforces the principle that polluters must be held accountable for environmental damage and bear the cost of restoring degraded ecosystems.

Section 163 of the National Environment Act, Cap. 181, prohibits the discharge of pollutants into the environment contrary to prescribed standards. The law empowers courts to impose penalties on offenders and order restoration measures at the expense of the polluter.