The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has called on Ugandans to embrace a change in mindset and adopt more responsible behavior towards the environment, noting that laws alone are not enough to achieve lasting environmental protection.
Speaking during a cleanup exercise in Kabale Municipality, Francis Ogwal, Senior Manager for Environment Planning and Coordination at NEMA emphasized that environmental sustainability begins with individual action.
He pointed out that while Uganda has comprehensive environmental policies and legislation; their effectiveness depends heavily on public cooperation and behavioral change.
Ogwal said that everyday actions such as improper disposal of plastic waste, deforestation, and pollution of water bodies continue to undermine national conservation efforts.
He urged communities to take greater ownership of their surroundings, beginning with keeping their homes, streets, and marketplaces clean.
The cleanup in Kabale is one of several pre-event activities organized by NEMA in the lead-up to the national commemoration of World Environment Day, which will be officiated by President Yoweri Museveni on June 25th.
The celebrations were initially scheduled for June 5th, in line with the global calendar, but were postponed due to other national commitments.
This year’s theme, “United Against Plastic Pollution,” aligns with global efforts to address the environmental and health impacts of single-use plastics. Plastic waste has become one of Uganda’s most pressing environmental concerns, particularly in urban areas where drainage systems and natural habitats are increasingly choked with discarded plastic materials.
In addition to the cleanup exercise, NEMA and its partners including local government authorities, civil society organizations, and school groups are conducting public awareness campaigns, community dialogues, and environmental education sessions.
These efforts aim to mobilize collective action across all regions of the country.
NEMA is also advocating for the stricter enforcement of environmental laws, particularly those governing plastic production, distribution, and disposal.
Under current regulations, plastic bags below 30 microns in thickness are banned, though enforcement remains inconsistent in many parts of the country.
World Environment Day is the United Nations’ principal vehicle for encouraging awareness and action for the protection of the environment.
It is celebrated annually on June 5th and is hosted by a different country each year.
By Ben Musanje
24th June 2025
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