The Prime Minister has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to environmental management and livelihood enhancement for sustainable development.
This message was conveyed in a speech by Rt Hon Robinah Nabanja, delivered by the 3rd Deputy Prime Minister, Hon Rukia Nakadama, during the inaugural National Environment Sustainability Awards at the Sheraton Hotel, Kampala, on Friday evening. The awards, organized by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), recognized organizations, companies and entities with best practices in environmental sustainability.
The Prime Minister, who was the chief guest, noted that with 50% of Uganda’s population now below 17 years, the environment will play a key role in shaping the sustainable development agenda in job creation, infrastructure development, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and providing food for over 45.9 million Ugandans.
“Uganda has been intentional about sustainability and has indeed invested in the critical drivers of sustainability, namely infrastructure development, especially in energy, transport, and information & communication technology, industrialization and value addition, human resource development, and improving access and increasing participation of the private sector. These have all been mainstreamed in Uganda’s national development plan and remain critical in the NDP4, where the environment is at the center stage: Sustainable industrialization for inclusive growth, employment, and wealth creation,” said the Prime Minister.
She applauded the management of NEMA for the innovation to publicly recognize and award those making a difference in environmental management, adding that while the awards are not a definitive measure of environmental performance, they serve as a valuable form of recognition akin to an endorsement or label of excellence.
To the awardees, the Prime Minister encouraged them to continue their good work. “Ladies and gentlemen, let us remember that protecting the environment and mother nature is our God-given responsibility. Therefore, let us all be inspired by tonight’s awardees and commit to taking actionable steps towards a more sustainable future.”
The Keynote Speaker, Mr. Japheth Kato, appealed for more support in the form of funding for projects that NEMA is carrying out. “We need to support NEMA as an agent of change. They need both political support and money.” He urged all Ugandans to join and further the journey of sustainability, knowing that every step taken brings the country closer to a sustainable Uganda. Mr. Kato also noted that Corporate Social Responsibility for companies now goes beyond traditional measures, as sustainability must be incorporated into their governance structures.
He explained that this responsibility should not only be carried by large corporations but that small and medium enterprises must incorporate it within their organizations. According to the World Trade Organization, 95% of companies across the globe fall in this category and provide 60% of jobs.
The NEMA Executive Director, Akankwasah Barirega (PhD), noted that the environment can only be saved if all people become environmental stewards, ensuring that everywhere they work, they act as guardians of the environment.
“If all the citizens of the nation become real stewards, that will be our ultimate success. The sustainability awards were conceived to reward outstanding efforts and innovative solutions that contribute to environmental conservation and sustainability and recognize exemplary actions to inspire others to adopt sustainable practices and contribute to our overall environmental sustainability,” said Akankwasah.
He added that the awardees have demonstrated that it is possible to balance development and environmental protection. Akankwasah thanked all organizations present at the event for their efforts in being stewards of nature, noting that it is not cheap, but companies and organizations have done it and continue to do it.
He called for private sector players to ensure that they have robust ESG policies because while the nation needs development, it also needs the environment. The two must be an integral part of companies. “Integrating ESG into our corporate strategies is not only about compliance; it’s also about fostering sustainable business models that can thrive in the long run.”
List of Awardees
- Hoopoe
- Hima Cement Tororo Branch
- Roofings Uganda Ltd
- Kakira Sugar Factory
- CIPLA Quality Chemicals Ltd
- Jesa Dairy Farm Milk
- Kansai Plascon Paint
- Uganda Breweries
- Luwero Industries Ltd
- Total Energies Uganda
- EACOP
- Vivo Energy
- Gulu City
- UWA
- Wildlife Conservation Society
- UNDP
- Stanbic Bank Uganda
- Vision Group
- Kidandi Moses
During the event, the NEMA board members were appreciated for their role as their tenure had already ended. They are awaiting renewal of their term of office or retirement. According to Hon Nakadama, their names are already before the responsible parties for reconsideration.
NEMA recently commenced activities to recover wetlands from encroachers, starting with Lubigi wetland along Nansana Road. With support from the president, NEMA can afford to do assessments on time.
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