The National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) through the Entebbe environmental Police office has halted the commencement of the construction of the proposed Beach Soccer pitch (FUFA Beach Soccer Arena) at Kitubulu lake shores in Entebbe Municipality. The construction deal which was launched today Monday March 26, 2018 was halted by the in charge Entebbe Environmental Police Odong James after LC5 Councilors Wamala Lule Richard and Joseph Lwanga Lukyamuzi representing Entebbe Division A and B at Wakiso District raised a red flag.
Richard Wamala and Joseph Lukyamuzi who were accompanied by Sadiq Mukasa, a former LC5 Councilor and a one Kizito Ahmed after they were tipped off that Wakiso District, NEMA and several Entebbe Municipal Council authorities were not aware of the project.
The in-charge Entebbe Environmental Police Odong James revealed that a letter was authored by the acting Executive Director, National Forestry Authority (NFA) Paul Buyera Musamali and addressed to Permanent secretary Water and Environment, Director Natural forests, forests supervisor Entebbe Beat and Mayor Kayanja Okaying the construction of the beach soccer pitch. Odong however revealed that NEMA which is supposed to avail Fufa with an Environment Impact Assessment report before construction can commence weren’t informed.
“Fufa should have got technical guidance from NEMA before proceeding with the construction of the Beach Soccer Pitch at Kitubulu Lake Shores. We have directed Fufa to immediately stop the construction until the matter is settled because they (Fufa) don’t have an Environmental Impact Assessment Report and other relevant documents from NEMA”, Odong James stated.
We have established that the beach soccer pitch construction deal was only known to Entebbe Municipal Council Deputy Town Clerk Dan Fred Lutaaya and Mayor Kayanja who were also present at the launch while the Entebbe Municipal Council Environmental Officer Florence Najjuma wasn’t informed of the project.
When contacted, Deputy Town Clerk Dan Fred Lutaaya said that though the Environmental Impact Assessment report from NEMA hasn’t been processed, the construction of the beach soccer pitch shouldn’t be stopped because it will bring more development to Entebbe Municipality.
“The construction of the beach soccer pitch is a positive project which should remain in Entebbe because Entebbe hosts Beach Soccer tournaments in Uganda. The Kitubulu Lake Shores have been idle and once completed, the beach soccer pitch will bring more development to Entebbe through hosting International Games. I want to assure the people of Entebbe Municipality that the construction of the beach soccer pitch at the Kitubulu Lake Shores is transparent”, Dan Fred Lutaaya stated.
Once completed, the Fufa Beach Arena, Entebbe will host the CECAFA Beach Soccer Championship 2018.
