600 tonnes are produced every day in Uganda, 40% of this waste is collected and disposed of properly, the remaining 60% finds its way into the environment leading to a number of problems.
As the world commemorates World Environment Day today the community has been tasked to preserve and protect the Environment.
The day , has been commemorated under Theme #Beat Plastic Pollution, ‘Ecosystem Restoration‘.
According to Edgar Muganzi the Executive Director Natural Resources Defense Initiative (NRDI), a number of citizens know well that the Environment is mother nature but go ahead to carry out activities that are degrading the environment.
“It is eminent for the community to avoid Bush burning,cultivating in wetlands and the unnecessary cutting of trees which is playing a big role in polluting our environment.” remarked Muganzi
He further warned public on too much usage of plastics in correspondence with the day’s theme.
Plastics littered in R.Mpanga in Fort Portal City
Muganzi, further appeals to public to get acquainted with the habit of not throwing plastics everywhere, saying it is absurd seeing plastic bottles flying from every car.
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Catholic Church In Fort Portal calls out for Environmental protection
Notably, the Bishop of Fort Portal diocese, Rt.Rev.Dr.Robert Muhiirwa Akiiki, in his recent pastoral visits to different parishes, has been appealing to Christians to conserve mother nature, referring to Pope Francis’ letter laudato si that calls for protection of the environment.
The prelate has been emphasizing planting of trees, collecting polythene bags and plastics for recycling, reserving wetlands among others as away of solving the general problem of global warming.
Bishop Muhiirwa on Environment
Excessive Usage of Plastics worries NEMA
According to research conducted by the World Climate School’s Uganda chapter in late 2022,more than 75% of used plastic bottles end up in landfills, lakes, and rivers, which is seriously damaging to the environment.
Statistics from NEMA , show that plastics take a lion’s share of this waste with over 600 tonnes being produced every day throughout the country. Given that only 40% of this waste is collected and disposed of properly, the remaining 60% finds its way into the environment leading to a number of problems.
Reportedly, (60%) of this constitute the greatest part of pollution of our lakes, rivers , degradation of soils and rendering fertility and productivity of agriculture ineffective.
The poorly disposed plastics are also responsible for the rampant blockage of our drainage channels culminating into floods we see today.
The study further revealed that 31.3% of stakeholders are careless and simply throw plastics and some end up on the streets and drainage channels. Further, 60% of the households use plastics everyday despite poor disposal.
