KABALE: Residents and environmental activists are up in arms against Sino Minerals Investments, a company mining iron ore in Buhara Sub-county, Kabale District, over environmental destruction.
They argue that the company has resorted to directly pouring dirty water into a nearby stream and trenches. The company is also accused of dumping residues into the Kyaase wetland, putting their lives in danger.
Julius Byamukama, a concerned resident of Kyaase village, says that when the company started operations, it bought land in the nearby wetland, which was turned into a dumping site for the residues. Byamukama says that the residues have blocked water from flowing.
He wants the government to step in and tell the company not to dump dirty water into the wetland.
Alphonse Begyira, a dairy farmer in Kyaase village, says that the company recently drained polluted water into the nearby stream and trenches. He claims that because all of the waters have turned brown, his cattle cannot drink the contaminated water.
Milton Kwesiga, the Executive Director for Disaster Reduction Research and Emergency Missions, a voluntary non-profit organisation advocating for environmental protection in the Kigezi sub-region, says that dumping residues in the wetland has suffocated fish projects in the area.
Sam Kyomukama, an officer in charge of the Police Protection Unit for the Kigezi region, says that they have asked the management of the factory to stop draining polluted water into the stream.
Brian Munanura, Operations Manager for Sino Minerals Investments, says that the plant developed a leak on Sunday when a pipe burst. Munanura, however, says that efforts are being made to have the problem rectified.
Munanura adds that the company is in the process of buying more pipes so that in case one bursts, it can be immediately replaced without causing leakage.
