Pretoria, South Africa | July 14, 2026 — Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Executive Director Sharifah Buzeki has showcased Kampala’s progress in improving air quality at the Africa Clean Air Forum 2026 in Pretoria, South Africa.
Speaking during the opening of the forum, Buzeki presented “The Kampala Experience,” highlighting how the city has strengthened air quality monitoring and promoted cleaner, healthier living.
She said Kampala began monitoring air pollution in 2018 with just a few air quality sensors but has since expanded to 134 monitoring stations that provide real-time data to the public.
Although the city’s average air pollution level remains at 39 µg/m³, Kampala aims to reduce it by half by 2030. This goal is supported by the Kampala Clean Air Action Plan 2025–2030, national environmental laws, and a proposed Kampala Air Quality Management Bill.
Buzeki said the city’s success has been driven not only by technology but also by community involvement. Residents participate in regular clean-up exercises, journalists have been trained as clean air champions, and Village Health Teams help monitor environmental conditions at the local level.
Kampala is also promoting cleaner transport by introducing cycling lanes, pedestrian walkways, electric buses, and tax incentives for electric vehicles and motorcycles. A new traffic control centre is also expected to reduce congestion and vehicle emissions.
The city has received international recognition for its environmental efforts. In June 2026, Kampala won the National Environment Sustainability Award, was nominated for the Guangzhou International Award for Urban Innovation, and became the first African city to join the International Network of Tree Cities.
Buzeki called on African cities to work together in tackling air pollution, noting that environmental challenges do not stop at national borders. She encouraged greater investment in clean air initiatives, stronger community participation, and the use of real-time data to guide decision-making.
The Africa Clean Air Forum 2026 runs until July 16 at the University of Pretoria and the CSIR Convention Centre, bringing together policymakers, researchers, and environmental experts from across the continent to discuss solutions for cleaner air.
