Unregulated sand mining on River Nyamwamba, driven by the construction boom in Kasese Municipality, is leading to erosion and disruption of the ecosystem in the area.

Now, environment and natural resource experts as well as conservation activists are cautioning that the sand extraction on River Nyamwamba could cause floods leading to social disasters such as displacement of people and disruption of lives. 

There is growing demand for sand in Kasese district as the population continues to grow and the demand for housing increases. As a result, sand is being extracted far more rapidly than it can naturally be replaced.

Experts say this causes damage to the environment and jeopardizes the natural ecosystem which may cause disasters such as floods and the resultant social impacts like displaced communities.

An environment activist, Samson Masereka is concerned that the situation has been made worse by people clearing vegetation around the river banks which leaves the soils bare, fueling floods.

However, sand miners and some leaders say the activity is not any different from de-silting; an argument environmentalists do not buy.

A natural resource activist, Samuel Asiimwe says there is a need for regulated sand mining on River Nyamwamba to avoid any disasters that may arise in the future.

Augustine Kooli, the Environment Officer of Kasese district says they are drafting sand mining guidelines that will help conserve the environment

While sand might be considered as a resource for construction and other related activities, its unregulated extraction exposes the river banks and bed which may later result in climate change challenges.

Kasese has already seen a series of floods over the years, arising from River Nyamwamba bursting its banks, leading destruction of schools, health centers, and homes. Some people have been permanently displaced and had to seek new land elsewhere.