The Victoria Sugar Factory, recently embroiled in allegations of severe environmental pollution, has been officially exonerated by Uganda’s National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
For weeks, media reports have amplified whispers from residents of dark smoke, contaminated water, and persistent coughs linked to the factory. But NEMA, alongside local leaders and factory management, maintains that Victoria Sugar is being unfairly targeted, suggesting a campaign of misinformation.
Speaking on Thursday, NEMA spokesperson Naomi Namara dismissed the accusations against the sugar company. “Pollution has been reported in that area where Victoria Sugar is located, but it’s not coming from the factory,” Namara stated, adding, “Our inspectors are already on the ground to trace the actual culprits, and action will be taken.” This statement not only cleared Victoria Sugar but deepened the mystery of the pollution’s source.
Inside the factory gates, officials expressed strong indignation. Nasif Ismail, Victoria Sugar’s head of operations, suggested the allegations stem from industrial rivalry. “These are allegations by self-centered people, mostly our competitors, aiming to tarnish our name,” he argued.
Ismail emphasized the factory’s compliance, noting, “We are fully compliant with NEMA regulations. We even installed pollution monitoring equipment directly linked to NEMA’s control center.”
He also highlighted a geographical discrepancy, pointing out that initial complaints reportedly came from Yandwe 1 village, while the factory is situated in Ndibulungi, where he claims residents live without issues.
The Luweero District Natural Resources Officer, Teopista Gateese, echoed NEMA’s stance and the factory’s defence. As a key local environmental monitoring official, she stated, “We have not come across this dark smoke being cited. It is disappointing when leaders spread wrong information without consulting technical offices like mine.”
Gateese recalled similar past allegations against the factory that proved false, though she pledged to join NEMA in fresh investigations if necessary, urging complainants to approach her office before resorting to media.
The narrative remains sharply divided among local residents. Godfrey Mukasa, who resides in Ndibulungi, the village housing the factory, dismissed the allegations outright. “I live right next to the factory. I can tell you these allegations are false. I’ve never experienced any problem with it,” he asserted.
Conversely, in neighboring Yandwe 1 village, previous media reports quoted residents painting a grim picture of contaminated water sources, smoke-induced coughs, and dark stains on their clothes.
This stark contrast fuels suspicions on both sides: are competitors orchestrating a smear campaign, or are specific communities truly bearing the brunt of environmental degradation from an as-yet-unidentified source?
The ongoing dispute highlights the delicate balance between industrial growth and environmental protection in Uganda. As more factories emerge in districts like Luweero, the tensions between corporate investment, regulatory oversight, and community welfare are set to intensify.
For now, NEMA stands firm in its exoneration of Victoria Sugar. However, until inspectors definitively identify the real source of pollution affecting parts of Luweero, the questions – and the suspicions – among villagers and stakeholders are likely to persist.
