Senior government officials in Uganda are advocating for a ban on single-use plastics, including polythene bags with a thickness of less than 30 microns. The move comes as part of global efforts to address plastic pollution, which poses a significant threat to the environment, human health, and wildlife.
Minister of Water and Environment, Sam Cheptoris, stressed the importance of this ban during a meeting held in Kampala on October 16, 2023. The meeting, attended by delegates, aimed to negotiate the creation of a global treaty to combat plastic pollution.
Minister Cheptoris expressed concern about the pervasive use of plastic carrier bags, emphasizing that the manufacturers’ resistance to bans has been a challenge. He noted that while plastic has various valuable uses, the pollution caused by single-use plastics has severe consequences for the environment, resulting in microplastic deposits on land, rivers, lakes, and oceans worldwide. These pollutants have adverse effects on human and animal health, contributing to the loss of livelihoods, increased greenhouse gas emissions, and biodiversity loss.
The minister also highlighted the impact of plastics on agriculture, noting that they are a significant contributor to soil degradation. He further pointed out that plastics take more than 400 years to decompose, highlighting the long-term environmental damage they can cause.
To tackle this issue on a global scale, Minister Cheptoris urged African leaders and negotiators to work collectively to reduce and minimize global plastic waste. He emphasized the need to ensure that the forthcoming globally binding instrument takes into account the unique challenges faced by African nations.
In addition, it was revealed that the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) spends over Shs6.4 billion annually on unblocking clogged drainages due to plastic waste. Minister Cheptoris argued that these funds could be better invested in social services to improve the well-being of Ugandans.
Dr. Akankwasa Barirega, the Executive Director of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), informed attendees that the Cabinet had approved the amendment of the NEMA Act to ban plastics below a certain micron thickness.
