Otafiire urges NEMA to curb city pollution
Jun 14, 2004
Water, Lands and Environment minister Col. Kahinda Otafiire has directed the National Environment Management Authority
By Gerald Tenywa
and Richard Komakech
Water, Lands and Environment minister Col. Kahinda Otafiire has directed the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to curb the rampant pollution caused by poor waste disposal.
He urged NEMA to enforce waste-management regulations and the national environment standards for the discharge of effluent into water or land, which were formulated five years ago.
Otafiire also urged urban authorities to lay strategies for joint investments in waste disposal facilities like landfills. He warned residents who have no toilets that they would be prosecuted. Dumping of solid waste, which is a top environmental problem in urban areas, especially Kampala with a population of 1.5 million people, is a recipe for cholera epidemic, according to NEMA.
Otafiire was recently speaking at Nakivubo Primary School in Kampala during the commemoration of the UN World Environment day under the theme “Waste management, our wealth, our health.’’
He added that there is a cleaner production centre in Kampala, which the Government has established to assist industrialists.
Otafiire said this would help industries to maximise resource use, increase profits and minimise waste output.
Dr. Aryamanya Mugisha, the head of NEMA, said waste disposal was a top environmental problem in urban areas.
Jeje Odongo, the state minister for Environment, urged for the wise use of resources. He added that garbage, especially in Kampala, was a raw material for making manure and biogas.
Mugisha said most of the polluting industries had entered into agreement with NEMA to ensure compliance. He cited Hima Cement factory, Kasese Cobalt, Century Bottling Company Ltd, fish processing factories, Mukwano and Kakira Sugar Works. He also said Uganda Breweries was building a sh7b waste treatment plant, expected to be in place later this year. He urged factories including Nile Breweries, which have not put in place waste treatment plants as required by law, to take action.
Douda Toure, the UNDP country representative, said: “waste management is a challenge in developing countries like Uganda. It is sad that a third of human beings get disease due to poor sanitation, one of the most important elements in ensuring long productive life.’’
Takuba Kabuye, the deputy Mayor of Kampala, said management of solid waste was a shared responsibility. He added that the process of privatisation of garbage collection had led to an increase in garbage collection from 30% in 2000 to 45% coverage in 2004.
NEMA recognised the excellent contributions of Hima Cement Factory, Kasese Cobalt, CVK Tourist Resort and Nabisunsa Girls School for the stewardship of nature.
Meanwhile, John Kasozi reports that Kampala City generates 800 tonnes of solid waste per day, but only 30% of the waste is collected.
Environment minister Col.Otafiire, said this in a speech to mark the World Environment Day.
Kampala is also characterised by the highest concentration of affluent and senior citizens, who ironically, are the most wasteful in their consumption and generate a lot of waste.
Otafiire said poor waste disposal is a recipe to otherwise preventable diseases, which do not only disable our people, but lead to loss of lives.
and Richard Komakech
Water, Lands and Environment minister Col. Kahinda Otafiire has directed the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to curb the rampant pollution caused by poor waste disposal.
He urged NEMA to enforce waste-management regulations and the national environment standards for the discharge of effluent into water or land, which were formulated five years ago.
Otafiire also urged urban authorities to lay strategies for joint investments in waste disposal facilities like landfills. He warned residents who have no toilets that they would be prosecuted. Dumping of solid waste, which is a top environmental problem in urban areas, especially Kampala with a population of 1.5 million people, is a recipe for cholera epidemic, according to NEMA.
Otafiire was recently speaking at Nakivubo Primary School in Kampala during the commemoration of the UN World Environment day under the theme “Waste management, our wealth, our health.’’
He added that there is a cleaner production centre in Kampala, which the Government has established to assist industrialists.
Otafiire said this would help industries to maximise resource use, increase profits and minimise waste output.
Dr. Aryamanya Mugisha, the head of NEMA, said waste disposal was a top environmental problem in urban areas.
Jeje Odongo, the state minister for Environment, urged for the wise use of resources. He added that garbage, especially in Kampala, was a raw material for making manure and biogas.
Mugisha said most of the polluting industries had entered into agreement with NEMA to ensure compliance. He cited Hima Cement factory, Kasese Cobalt, Century Bottling Company Ltd, fish processing factories, Mukwano and Kakira Sugar Works. He also said Uganda Breweries was building a sh7b waste treatment plant, expected to be in place later this year. He urged factories including Nile Breweries, which have not put in place waste treatment plants as required by law, to take action.
Douda Toure, the UNDP country representative, said: “waste management is a challenge in developing countries like Uganda. It is sad that a third of human beings get disease due to poor sanitation, one of the most important elements in ensuring long productive life.’’
Takuba Kabuye, the deputy Mayor of Kampala, said management of solid waste was a shared responsibility. He added that the process of privatisation of garbage collection had led to an increase in garbage collection from 30% in 2000 to 45% coverage in 2004.
NEMA recognised the excellent contributions of Hima Cement Factory, Kasese Cobalt, CVK Tourist Resort and Nabisunsa Girls School for the stewardship of nature.
Meanwhile, John Kasozi reports that Kampala City generates 800 tonnes of solid waste per day, but only 30% of the waste is collected.
Environment minister Col.Otafiire, said this in a speech to mark the World Environment Day.
Kampala is also characterised by the highest concentration of affluent and senior citizens, who ironically, are the most wasteful in their consumption and generate a lot of waste.
Otafiire said poor waste disposal is a recipe to otherwise preventable diseases, which do not only disable our people, but lead to loss of lives.