Zadock Amanyisa | Tayari News
KAMPALA – The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has banned open burning of waste in all cities, urban authorities, and district local governments. The Environmental watchdog issued a ‘STOP NOTICE’ on Friday, 20th February.
The directive follows earlier communication referenced as NEMA/7.5 and NEMA/4.7.1 of 22nd August, 2024, reminding local government leaders of their statutory responsibility for environmental management under the devolved environmental governance framework.
“NEMA has continued to receive numerous complaints from the public regarding the persistent open burning of waste in various urban areas. These reports have been corroborated by findings from recent environmental monitoring inspections conducted by NEMA inspectors across the country. The observations point to ongoing challenges in waste management, particularly in urban settings, despite the presence of a clear legal and technical framework,” NEMA said in a press statement released on Friday.
According to NEMA, the practice of open waste burning poses serious risks to public health and the environment, and is explicitly prohibited under Section 78 of the National Environment Act, Cap 181, which forbids pollution of the environment in any form.
Acting under the powers granted by Section 10 of the Act, NEMA has directly all responsible authorities to immediately stop open burning of waste within their jurisdictions and conduct continuous awareness and sensitisation programs for staff, waste handlers, and communities on proper waste management practices.
Individuals or institutions continuing to engage in open burning of waste will be liable to enforcement actions provided for under the National Environment Act.
“These actions may include administrative fines, restoration orders, closure of offending facilities, and prosecution for environmental offences,” said NEMA
The authority warned that continued violation not only endangers public health and the environment but will attract stringent legal consequences without exception.
NEMA emphasised that waste management is a core mandate of Cities, Urban Authorities and local district governments. The authority warned that it will continue to conduct compliance monitoring, and any entity found in violation of the directive will be subject to enforcement action as provided for in the law.
It is worth noting that environmental management in Uganda is implemented through a decentralised framework established under the National Environment Act, Cap. 181.
The framework assigns Cities, Urban Authorities, and District Local Governments the primary responsibility for managing the environment within their jurisdictions, including waste collection, transportation, and disposal. NEMA’s role is to provide oversight, technical guidance, and enforcement support to ensure that local governments fulfil their mandate.