A prominent Lira businessman, Lawrence Okello, has been remanded to prison on allegations of constructing a fuel station in a protected wetland.
This follows an arraignment before the Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, December 5, 2024.
Okello was later remanded until December 16, 2024, as authorities continue their investigations.
However, before being arraigned in court, Okello was arrested in a collaborative effort between the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU), the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP).
According to a statement from SHACU, the accused allegedly disregarded the stipulated conditions and continued with construction activities in Pece swamp, Gulu city, despite receiving a Certificate of Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) from NEMA.
However, preliminary investigations have unveiled a pattern of encroachment on protected areas by the accused, including wetlands, forest reserves, and public land.
Authorities are currently delving deeper into these allegations to uncover the full extent of his involvement in such illegal activities.
The arrest serves as a strong message to individuals who seek to exploit natural resources for personal gain, disregarding environmental laws and regulations.