President Yoweri Museveni has intervened to halt an eviction notice issued by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) against a prominent farmer in Nkumba, Wakiso District. The directive, which threatened to displace Lawrence Nkalubo from land he has occupied and developed since 2000, was described as “illogical” by a presidential advisor.
During a community meeting Saturday hosted by Dr. Hillary Musoke Kisanja, Senior Presidential Advisor on Agribusiness, it was announced that Museveni blocked NEMA’s order. The president has granted Nkalubo a six-month transitional period and directed Dr. Kisanja to conduct a thorough study of the matter and submit a detailed report.
Nkalubo, a well-established poultry and piggery farmer in Bendegere Village, Nkumba Parish, Katabi Sub-county, operates a six-acre farm with approximately 40,000 layer chickens and 100 pigs. He had been given just 21 days by NEMA to vacate the property.
Officials Question NEMA’s Motives
Several officials at the community meeting dismissed NEMA’s eviction order, suggesting that the NEMA executive director was using the institution to target a farming neighbor.
Dr. Kisanja urged NEMA experts to guide Nkalubo on sustainable urban farming practices rather than pursuing eviction.
“This man didn’t go to school like you. All he needs is guidance on how the said smell, for example, can be stopped,” Dr. Kisanja stated at the meeting. He also highlighted the significant financial implications of an immediate eviction. “I have seen, for example, that man has ongoing loans from over three banks worth more than 1.55 billion Ugandan shillings (about $415,000 USD). If you evict him today, won’t he just die?” he questioned, adding that Nkalubo had already paid for an order of more than 100,000 chicks from Biyinza.
Mr. Hakim Kirigwa, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for Entebbe Municipality, drew a biblical analogy to criticize the NEMA directive. “If you get money, don’t become a problem for others,” he said, advocating for the rights of less affluent individuals like Nkalubo to thrive.
Kirigwa further accused the NEMA executive director of undermining government programs, including the Parish Development Model, which aims to uplift citizens economically. He noted that the government had disbursed 1.5 billion shillings to residents in Katabi Town Council alone, with the aim of helping them achieve a level of success similar to Nkalubo’s.
“How will they manage when government agencies are fighting the same progress made by the government?” Kirigwa asked. He emphasized that guidance on innovative solutions to mitigate farm odors, rather than eviction, was the appropriate course of action, especially given Nkalubo’s outstanding bank loans.
Ronald Kalema, the Mayor of Katabi Town Council, accused NEMA of selective enforcement of environmental standards. He pointed out numerous instances of wetland degradation and sand mining occurring under NEMA’s apparent inaction.
Kalema also echoed the sentiment that Nkalubo should be guided on improved farming practices and granted sufficient time to transition. While he commended President Museveni’s six-month reprieve, he suggested it might still be insufficient for Nkalubo to relocate or fundamentally alter his business without significant loss.
Community Voices Support for Farmer
Hajjat Shamah Akankwasa, wife of NEMA Executive Director Dr. Barirega Akankwasa, who issued the eviction notice, also attended the community meeting. She stated that while a foul smell from Nkalubo’s poultry farm had been periodically noticeable since last year, particularly during the rainy season, the issue should not be personalized. “It’s not right that Mr. Nkalubo should be evicted from his land. Where should he go? He’s a community resident who should instead be guided so that we all live in harmony,” she said, urging the NEMA team to help Nkalubo address the odor.
Samuel Mpanga, the Bendegere Local Council I Chairperson, affirmed that Nkalubo’s farm has operated for an extended period without prior complaints from residents or environmental agencies. “This farm has brought nothing but development. There have been no reports of pollution, and Nkalubo has maintained proper waste management. No one has ever reported his activities as a threat to the environment,” Mpanga noted. He expressed concerns about potential ulterior motives, including land wrangles, behind the sudden eviction attempt.
Godfrey Mubiru, a Nkumba resident, highlighted the farm’s positive impact, noting that it had benefited the community and helped numerous youth reform from criminal activities. “It would be inconsiderate and selfish for someone to just come and close a farm that has been beneficial and has turned our lives around,” he said.
Other residents expressed fear that Nkalubo’s eviction could set a precedent, leading to similar actions against them to facilitate land grabbing by new community entrants. Several also accused the NEMA executive director of using his office to orchestrate such schemes and threaten residents into relinquishing their land.
Nkalubo thanked President Museveni, Dr. Kisanja, and community residents for their support in fighting the eviction. He urged NEMA and community members to engage with him and provide specific guidance on areas needing improvement at his farm.
District Police Commander Steven Twinomugisha urged for calm among community members and advised them to report any criminal activity.
NEMA’s Original Eviction Order
Last month, Nkalubo made a heartfelt appeal to President Museveni for intervention after NEMA issued the 21-day eviction notice.
The NEMA Executive Director, Dr. Akankwasa Barirega, who recently acquired land adjacent to Nkalubo’s farm, cited the continuation of “emission of foul smell from chicken and pig rearing activities” as an inconvenience. Critics suggest this proximity creates a conflict of interest for Barirega.
In a letter to Nkalubo dated June 23, 2025, Barirega ordered him to comply within 21 days from receipt of the “environment restoration order.”
Barirega stated that Nkalubo’s actions were contrary to Article 39 of the Constitution of Uganda and section 3 of the National Environment Act Cap 181. He specifically cited “poor waste management practices” as a violation of sections 78, 96, and 103 (2) of the NEMA Act and the National Environment (Waste Management) Regulations, 2020.
He also noted that operating a farm with over 1,000 chickens without relevant NEMA approvals was contrary to Schedule 5(6)(d) and section 112 of the NEMA Act. Barirega labeled Nkalubo’s actions as illegal and potentially criminal offenses under sections 157 (a), 162, and 163 of the NEMA Act and related regulations.
The order directed Nkalubo to “stop with immediate effect all activities and operations that lead to the generation of foul smell and poor management of waste; demolish all the illegal farm structures constructed without approvals; remove any material waste or refuse deposited in, on, under or around the land generating foul smell; clean up the pollution using the best available techniques; and desist from conducting any activities that cause pollution or are deleterious to human health and the environment.”
Barirega warned Nkalubo that NEMA could recover any expenses incurred in enforcing the order as a civil debt and that failure to comply would result in NEMA taking further action under section 133 of the NEMA Act. He emphasized that the order would remain in force until NEMA’s satisfaction and did not preclude criminal proceedings against Nkalubo.
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