With one of the highest population growth rates in the world (above three percent per year), terrestrial, aquatic and atmospheric pollution in Uganda is on the increase. The growing urban population is witnessing increased air, water and land pollution as a result of vehicle and industrial emissions; sewage and waste management systems that cannot cope with growing demand; and energy needs that largely rely on fuel wood. Rural populations are also growing and exerting increasing pressure on limited land.
This has led to soil erosion, water pollution and siltation, and air pollution as a result of land clearing through burning. Inadequate or weak enforcement of waste water management standards has also resulted in significant industrial pollution in and around industrial areas on the shores of Lake Victoria, particularly around Kampala, Mpanga River in Fort portal Tourism City, Jinja. The introduction of polythene bags has significantly increased terrestrial and water pollution, particularly in urban areas. In-congruent implementation of policy guidelines on polythene bags at various levels of government has led to a failure to control poly then-derived pollution.
Key actions to be implemented by Western Uganda FBO Network in responses to Pollution.
- Advocate , capacity build, network and champion inquisitional framework together with stakeholders such as National Environment Management Authority, Ministry of Water and Environment, Urban City/Town Councils and Directorate of Water Development as well as CSOs, FBOs and local councils to effectively implement policies and legal framework that includes; National Environment Management Policy, 1997National Environment Act, 1995National Environment Regulations, 2003Environmental Standards and Preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment for Water Quality and Discharge of Effluent into Water and Land in Uganda, 1998.
- Take action to strengthen the policy, legal and institutional framework for managing air, water and land pollution by creating standards and the ability of government agencies to competently enforce them. Some of these standards include those for municipal landfills, vehicle emissions, and industrial air and water pollution.
- Develop and advocate for alternative and affordable sources of energy such as solar, small-scale hydropower, geothermal and others so as to reduce urban and rural reliance on fuel wood.
- Ensure greater protection to wetlands that provide affordable and natural treatment of wastewater entering Lake Victoria and other important water bodies.
- Encourage and enforce investment in wastewater treatment plants to control municipal and industrial waste.
- Encourage and enforce investment in recycling plants for polythene, glass and biodegradable waste.