Hammerline Extractions Limited, a company holding an excavation license, has been ordered by Justice Esta Nambayo to pay a fine of Sh83 million to a farmer, Anne Rose Mary Owor, in a case related to noise pollution. The company had been conducting stone blasting operations in close proximity to Owor’s properties situated in Mukono District, particularly at Buntaba Block 80, Plots 177, and Plot 781.

Anne Rose Mary Owor resorted to legal action against Hammerline Extractions and the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) after failed attempts to resolve the noise pollution issue through negotiation. Importantly, the court ruling did not require NEMA to provide compensation to Owor.

Owor contended that the excessive noise pollution resulting from Hammerline Extractions Limited’s operations had compelled her to abandon her poultry business.

In her ruling, Justice Nambayo found that the blasts and excavations conducted by Hammerline Extractions had indeed caused a nuisance on Owor’s farm. As a result, the court ordered Hammerline Extractions to pay Owor Sh73,400,000 as special damages and Sh10,000,000 as general damages.

Moreover, the court issued a permanent injunction, prohibiting Hammerline Extractions, its employees, agents, and anyone acting on the company’s behalf, from conducting blasts and excavations in a manner that creates a nuisance in the vicinity.

In addition to the imposed fine, Hammerline Extractions has been directed to cover Owor’s legal costs incurred during the course of the lawsuit. The exact amount for these legal costs will be determined with the guidance of the court.