By Geresom Musamali

Uganda will by 2010 have phased out all refrigerators which use gases responsible for eroding the Ozone layer and exposing the earth to the sun’s strong (ultraviolet) rays.

The gases, referred to as Chloro-Floro-Carbons (CFC), are used as refrigerants in refrigerators, air conditioners and cold rooms.

They escape from the objects and deplete the ozone layer. This leads to increased world temperatures (global warming) which in turn melts the ice on the mountains, dries up lakes and rivers and causes other environmental hazards.

In Uganda, the CFCs are mainly used in second-hand fridges.
Environment state minister Jessica Eriyo yesterday said such refrigerators had been banned.

“I am not sure when the ban came into effect but we no longer allow the importation of CFC fridges into the country. The year 2010 is the deadline for using such fridges in Uganda.”

Eriyo was speaking at the opening of the 11th Joint Ozone Depleting Substances Officers’ Network meeting for Africa at the Kabira Country Club in Kampala.

She said air-conditioners that use CFCs would also be phased out by 2010, adding that hotels that will host the coming Commonwealth summit had also been compelled to phase out CFC equipment.

Another Ozone depleting substance that has been phased out is Methyl Bromide, a chemical used in the flower industry for pre-planting fumigation.

It is also used in the preservation of wood packaging material for shipment of goods. The alternative is heat-treatment of the wood.