NEMA Pushes for Stricter Plastic Laws Ahead of World Environment Day

Uganda is preparing to commemorate World Environment Day with a renewed call to adopt sustainable alternatives and strengthen policies governing plastic waste management.

The call was made by Dr. Akankwasah Barirega, Executive Director of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), during a press conference held on Tuesday at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala.

Dr. Barirega announced that the 2025 World Environment Day, set for June 5th, will be celebrated globally under the theme “Taking Action Towards Ending Plastic Pollution.” In Uganda, national celebrations will be held in Kabale District under the local theme “United Against Plastic Pollution.”

“Plastic pollution is a global crisis, and Uganda is no exception,” said Barirega. “The world produces 430 million tons of plastic annually, and two-thirds of this consists of short-lived products that quickly become waste—items like water bottles, beverage containers, packaging materials, and carrier bags.”

He emphasised that only 9% of plastic waste is currently recycled globally, leaving a staggering 91% in the environment. This unmanaged waste contributes to environmental degradation, clogs drainage systems, and poses significant threats to agriculture, aquatic ecosystems, and public health.

“Each year, an estimated 23 million tons of plastic leak into the environment—into drainage systems, onto farmland, and into our lakes and oceans. This leads to flooding, reduced soil productivity, and an increase in disease vectors such as mosquitoes, which thrive in plastic waste,” he added.

Uganda’s situation mirrors the global trend. The country generates approximately 600 metric tons of plastic waste each day, with less than 40% properly collected. The remaining 60% ends up in the environment, especially in urban centers like Kampala, which alone produces 180 metric tons daily.

“These numbers are concerning. Inadequate waste management in urban areas like Kampala, Mbarara, Mbale, and Jinja continues to escalate the problem,” Barirega noted.

To address the crisis, NEMA is proposing an amendment to the National Environment Act (CAP 181) to enforce a total ban on single-use plastics.

“The proposed legal reform is a crucial step towards eliminating the root of the problem. We need to move away from the use-and-throw culture and embrace sustainable alternatives,” said Barirega.

World Environment Day was established in 1972 during the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment. Its aim has always been to raise global awareness and action for the protection of our environment—a mission Uganda is taking seriously in its fight against plastic pollution.