MPs oppose total ban of buveera
Aug 19, 2009
In a twist of events, MPs have said the Government should regulate the use and disposal of buveera (polythene bags) instead of banning them.
By Mary Karugaba
In a twist of events, MPs have said the Government should regulate the use and disposal of buveera (polythene bags) instead of banning them.
The MPs on the trade and industry committee argued that the directive in its current form was difficult to implement because so many people manufacture and use polythene bags.
Caroline Okao (Independent) said rather than enforcing a total ban, the Government should subsidies the manufacturers to recycle polythene.
“Uganda is almost a kaveera republic. So many people use it everywhere. That is why the first ban failed to take off,†Okao said.
In their report, the MPs noted that the sudden ban on the product without creating alternative use for the machinery that had been manufacturing polythene would cause heavy loses for the investors.
The committee, chaired by Kiiza Rwebembera, recommended that the Government helps to upgrade the machinery into recycling plants for plastics.
Joseph Mugambe (NRM) said: “Banning polythene should be systematic and gradual. Let’s have the regulations and the guidelines first.â€
Announcing the 2009/2010 budget, finance minister Syda Bbumba banned the use and importation of polythene bags. She also imposed a hefty 120% tax levy on other plastic containers.
Environmentalists argue that polythene bags destroy the soil because they cannot be absorbed.
If poorly disposed, buveera clog waterways and channels causing floods and breeding sites for disease vectors.
Fumes emanating from burning polythene bags are also dangerous to humans and the environment.
But the manufacturers opposed the ban, arguing that it would destroy about 55 firms and up to 15,000 jobs could be lost.
In a twist of events, MPs have said the Government should regulate the use and disposal of buveera (polythene bags) instead of banning them.
The MPs on the trade and industry committee argued that the directive in its current form was difficult to implement because so many people manufacture and use polythene bags.
Caroline Okao (Independent) said rather than enforcing a total ban, the Government should subsidies the manufacturers to recycle polythene.
“Uganda is almost a kaveera republic. So many people use it everywhere. That is why the first ban failed to take off,†Okao said.
In their report, the MPs noted that the sudden ban on the product without creating alternative use for the machinery that had been manufacturing polythene would cause heavy loses for the investors.
The committee, chaired by Kiiza Rwebembera, recommended that the Government helps to upgrade the machinery into recycling plants for plastics.
Joseph Mugambe (NRM) said: “Banning polythene should be systematic and gradual. Let’s have the regulations and the guidelines first.â€
Announcing the 2009/2010 budget, finance minister Syda Bbumba banned the use and importation of polythene bags. She also imposed a hefty 120% tax levy on other plastic containers.
Environmentalists argue that polythene bags destroy the soil because they cannot be absorbed.
If poorly disposed, buveera clog waterways and channels causing floods and breeding sites for disease vectors.
Fumes emanating from burning polythene bags are also dangerous to humans and the environment.
But the manufacturers opposed the ban, arguing that it would destroy about 55 firms and up to 15,000 jobs could be lost.