Police to enforce laws on littering, noise pollution

Mar 06, 2023

Enanga said the awareness campaigns will be widely carried out on TV, using posters, print media and stakeholder engagements.

Enanga said the environmental crimes of littering and noise pollution, have become an epidemic, which needs to be dealt with.

Jeff Andrew Lule
Journalist @New Vision

POLICE | POLLUTION | LITTERING

KAMPALA - In conjunction with the National Environment Authority (NEMA), the Police have launched a 27-day awareness campaign against littering, dumping and noise pollution.

The campaign will be implemented in partnership with religious and cultural leaders, the Kampala City Authority (KCCA), local governments, the business community, media and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), among other stakeholders.

While addressing the weekly joint press briefing at the Police headquarters in Kampala Monday (March 6, 2023), Police spokesperson Fred Enanga said this is aimed at conducting a sustained and robust public education programme for the next 27 days on how to counter littering, illegal dumping and noise pollution.

“We all need to concert efforts and reverse this trend by turning declining attitude towards our environment into a more positive one for a better environment to live and work in,” he added.

Enanga said the awareness campaigns will be widely carried out on TV, using posters, print media and stakeholder engagements.

He called on all citizens and visitors in the country to follow the NEMA guidelines on public space and help prevent litter and noise.

“Common elements of the guidelines include bin placement, plastic bag litter management at recreational parks, car parks public transport parks, sports venues, restaurants and other places where large gatherings congregate,” he added

Enanga said all local governments need to get involved in the prevention of litter campaigns, through initiatives like bin placement and emptying litter patrols, street sweeping and manual clean ups, litter prevention education campaigns in partnership with local businesses, industry stakeholder groups, and private industry; and educational flyers and other advertising materials in local languages to reinforce the campaign is important.

Issuing fines

He added that if voluntary compliance on littering and noise pollution is not obtained by April 2023, the Environmental Protection Police officers will proceed with the enforcement of the process, which typically includes, imposing an Express Penalty Scheme (EPS) fines or other penalties.

“Our Environmental Protection Officers have a wealth of experience and good practices in tackling environmental crimes. They will work with all inspectors from NEMA, city authorities, IT specialists in CCTV monitoring centres and all other concerned members of the public to detect and prevent litter and other related offenses,” he noted.

Enanga said the environmental crimes of littering and noise pollution, have become an epidemic, which needs to be dealt with.

He added that the environment, streets, roads, gardens, compounds, and drainages are all plagued with pedestrians, revellers and motorists, leaving, dropping and throwing around their litter and illegally dumping their waste.

“The public should know that littering the environment is a crime, and there are laws which exist, to help our country clean,” he said.

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