Ref.

CRM 10461
23RD AUGUST, 2023

To: Chairperson
Building Committee

ENVIRONMENT SCREENING REPORT FOR PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF

DIVINE RIVER CHURCH AT NABWERU SOUTH III CELL, NABWERU SOUTH
WARD, NANSANA DIVISION, NANSANA MUNICIPALITY

1.0 Introduction
This report follows an Environment inspection that was done on 23 rd August, 2023 by the
Environment Officer as part of the steps towards approval process of the submitted building plan
of a church, file number: M725/D2/23/236/MBC.

2.0 Objectives
i. To determine whether the project has or does not have significant Environmental and Social
Impacts.
ii. To determine whether the proposed project does not require an Environmental and Social
Impact Assessment, Environmental Impact Review or a detailed Environmental Impact
Study.
iii. To identify possible mitigation measures where impacts are negative.

3.0 Findings
3.1 Site location
The proposed site is located at Nabweru South III Cell, Nabweru South Ward, Nansana Division,
Nansana Municipality at Geographical coordinates; Latitude: 0.357270°, Longitude:
32.546621°.

3.2 Land size and ownership

The proposed land is approximately 0.18 acres (728 square meters) in size and the developer is
the owner of land to be developed since the church has sales agreement and tenancy registration
card in names of Divine River Missions limited.

3.2 Social status

The site is situated along Mwebe – Division headquarters road which is used for access while the
rest of the church’s land boundaries are neighbored by residential settlement.

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3.3 Ecological status
The site is located on a gently sloping terrain with no vegetation since the land is already
developed. The site has soils characterized as red and shallow with a sandy-loam texture.

3.5 Proposed development

The developer who was identified as Kavuma Pasteur, opened the church in 2007 and has
permanent structures that are currently used by the church congregation. According to the
submitted building plan; M75/D2/23/236/MBC, the developer intends to demolish the current
structure to put up a new church dwelling.

3.6 Community consultation

From the consultations made during the inspection, the LC 1 Chairperson reported that he knew
about the proposed development and had okayed continuity of the project. The chairperson
further reported that he had not received complaints from the community about the church’s
conduct.

Consultations made from the neighboring residents indicated that there are mixed opinions
among community members about the level of noise pollution done by the church. Out of the
seven interviewed community members near the church, only one person reported discontent
with the noise from the church while the rest of the members reported that the church does not
produce a lot of noise.

PICTORIAL

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Figure 1. Google image showing location of Divine River church in the red polygon.

Figure 2. Access road and residential neighborhood of the church.

Figure 3. Existing church structures to be demolished.

Figure 2. Some of the residential buildings near the church.

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4.0 POSSIBLE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES

NO. Environmental and Social impacts Proposed mitigation measure

i. Positive impacts

ii. Employment opportunities. (Construction

labor, cleaners, managers, among others)
iii. Economic development through generation
of government revenue.
iv. Emotional and spiritual healing of
congregations.
Negative impacts
i. Dust emissions The contactor should hoard-off the site with
protective nets to trap debris.
ii. Increased solid waste generation Waste generated at construction and operational
phases should be sorted and temporarily
stockpiled in a designated area before haulage off
the site.
iii. Increased surface runoff Install gutters and water tanks to harvest rain
water.
iv. Noise pollution The developer should install sound proof material
in the walls to minimize noise pollution.
The church should limit generation of noise
during night hours.
v. Risk of fire Fire extinguishers should be put in place to put
out fire in case it comes up.
Establish enough fire escape routes.
vi. Road traffic hazards Employ traffic guides to control traffic during
construction works to prevent accidents.
Create drive ways with proper signages to direct
traffic into and out of the premises.
vii. Health and safety of workers Contractor should provide Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE) to workers to ensure safety of
the working team.

5.0 Legal framework

Section 112(2) of the National Environment Act, 2019 stipulates that a developer of a project set
out in Part 1 of Schedule 4 of this Act shall submit a project brief to the Authority in the manner

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prescribed by regulations. Since construction of places of worship is among those listed in the
schedule, the developer is required to submit a project brief to the Authority (NEMA) for
consideration and approval.

6.0 Discussion
The proposed church development is to be located within an area surrounded by residential
settlement and thus likely to have adverse impacts on human health through pollution of noise.
Therefore, the development proposal is subject to an Environmental and Social Assessment.

7.0 Conclusion and recommendation

The proposed site is not ecologically sensitive, however, the proposed development of a church
may have negative social impacts since the area is surrounded by residential settlement. I
therefore recommend as follows;
i. The church is recommended to obtain a Building permit since it has been operating since
2007 with no cases of noise pollution reported by the community.
ii. The developer should install sound proof material around the church structure to
minimize noise pollution in the area.
iii. The developer should carry out mandatory Environmental audits and reports should be
submitted to NEMA and Nansana Municipal Council.
iv. Community concerns arising from the church’s conduct should be addressed from time to
time.

Matovu Brian
Environment Officer, Nansana
C.C Town Clerk-Nansana Municipal Council
C.C Senior Environment Officer
C.C Developer-Divine River Church

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