WE-CAN MOVES TO SUE MERIDIAN TOBACCO OVER ALLEGED ENVIRONMENTAL VIOLATIONS

Richard Andama, the Executive Director of West Nile Compensation Advocacy Network (WE-CAN) during a media interview.

By Dramadri Federick

Arua city

The West Nile Compensation Advocacy Network (WE-CAN) has resolved to take legal action against Meridian Tobacco Company Limited after repeated demands for environmental compliance information allegedly went unanswered.

The organization, which is acting on behalf of communities living within a 5 Kilometre radius of the tobacco processing factory in Bongova Village, Ajia Sub-county, Arua District, accuses the company of failing to provide evidence of compliance with environmental regulations despite several written requests.

WE-CAN says residents living near the factory have for years raised concerns over the effects of tobacco fumes emitted from the facility.

According to the advocacy group, community members have reported recurring respiratory complications, skin-related illnesses, and other health concerns that they believe may be linked to emissions from the tobacco processing plant.

The organization argues that these concerns warrant an independent investigation and greater transparency from both the company and National Environment Management Authority NEMA as the environmental regulator.

Through its legal consultant, Kania and Ali Advocates and Solicitors, WE-CAN on July 13th, 2026, served Meridian Tobacco Company Limited with a notice of intention to sue.

The notice outlined seven demands, including the submission of audited environmental compliance reports, an independent assessment of health risks facing communities surrounding the factory, compensation of Shs10 billion for affected residents, and Shs1 billion to cover legal costs, among other requirements before the stipulated fortnight.

The organization gave the company 14 days to respond to the demands, a deadline that expired on July 27, 2026. According to WE-CAN, no satisfactory response was received within the stipulated period, prompting the decision to proceed with legal action.

Richard Andama, the Executive Director of WE-CAN, said the decision was informed by evidence gathered from community members and what he described as the continued failure by both Meridian Tobacco Company Limited and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to respond to concerns raised by residents.

“They (the communities) wanted them (the company) to respond to the demand, which was not fulfilled. The legal team also demanded that the company pay compensation to the affected communities to the tune of Shs10 billion and an additional Shs1 billion for legal costs, but the 14 days have elapsed. What is now forward is for our legal team to take Meridian Tobacco Company Limited to court,” Andama said.

Andama further noted that the intended court action seeks not only compensation for affected residents but also accountability regarding environmental compliance and public health safeguards around the factory.

However, Meridian Tobacco Company Limited has dismissed the public discussion surrounding the matter, maintaining that it should be handled through legal channels.

When contacted for a response, Ronald Toorac, the company’s Human Resource Officer and spokesperson, questioned the decision to publicize a dispute that is already the subject of legal proceedings. He said the company has assembled its legal team and is prepared to respond through the courts.

“If it is something legal, it’s not for community debate. What is their essence of publicizing it? If they have gone legal, they should know that it is going to end legal and we shall respond accordingly,” Toorac said.

The dispute now sets the stage for what could become a landmark environmental and public health case in the West Nile sub-region, particularly if it proceeds to court and compels scrutiny of regulatory compliance by large industrial operators located near residential communities.

Meridian Tobacco Company Limited, a subsidiary of the Pan-African Tobacco Group, operates a tobacco processing facility in Ajia Sub-county, Arua District.

The plant, reportedly valued at between US$20 million and US$25 million, processes tobacco leaf for export and supports the manufacture of cigarette brands, including Supermatch.

The facility is one of the largest tobacco-processing investments in the region and provides employment opportunities to hundreds of people directly and indirectly through tobacco farming and related value chains.

Despite its economic significance, the company has in recent years faced concerns from sections of the surrounding community over environmental and health impacts associated with its operations.

The impending court action is expected to test the extent of corporate environmental responsibility, regulatory oversight, and community rights under Uganda’s environmental and public health laws.

The case also comes at a time when environmental justice litigation is increasingly gaining prominence across Uganda, with communities demanding greater accountability from industries whose operations have potential impacts on public health and the environment.

If filed, the suit could have far-reaching implications for environmental compliance enforcement and community compensation claims in the country.