The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) in Uganda has given Manufacturers of plastic bottled water six months to transit to glass bottled water brands ahead of total ban on plastics takes shape this December.
NEMA Executive Director Dr Akankwasa Barigye says Nema has embarked on amending CAP 181 of Environmental protection law to have total ban of single use plastic commonly known as Kaveera and other plastic bottles.
“While the current National Environment Act prohibits the local manufacture, importation, exportation, use, or reuse of plastic carrier bags and products made of polymers of ethene (polythene) and polypropylene below 30 microns, NEMA is seeking to amend the act to enforce a total ban on all polythene bags. This aligns with other EAC countries that have successfully implemented total bans on plastic bag,”Barigye said in a media interface.
He said the total ban will help Uganda reduce on waste in Kampala and align with other East African Community (EAC) member states on proper waste management practices.
Uganda generates 600metric tones of waste but only 40% is collected .in Kampala alone Kampala Capital City Authority collects only 40% of waste despite 180metric tonnes of wastes generated per day.
The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) is augandan government agency responsible for enviroemental management established in may 1998.. It is a semi-autonomous institution that coordinates, monitors, regulates, and supervises environmental management across the country. NEMA also spearheads the development of environmental policies, laws, regulations, and standards.
