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She says no license will be granted to factories operating in wetlands.
“Whoever issues license to factories manufacturing kaveera and operating in wetlands will be prosecuted,” Anywar said.
She has asked importers and supermarket owners to stop usage of kaveera.
The ban on kaveera comes shortly after President Museveni gave directive to cabinet to implement the ban on Monday cabinet.
Anywar said the directive targets plastic bags, cups, straws, coffee stirrers, soda, and water bottles, and most food packaging materials that pose a threat to the environment.
Government of Uganda with approval of parliament, some time back in 2009 banned the importation, manufacture and use of polythene bag, popularly known as kaveera of gauge below 30 microns.
However, when NEMA tried to implement the ban, Government of Uganda came out to interfere with NEMA by frustrating its efforts to execute its mandate.
On 15th April 2015 once again NEMA, in a bid to execute its mandate, banned the use, sell, manufacture and importation of the said Kavera. It should be noted that the majority of Ugandans had started complying with the recommendation as passed by parliament.
We also understand that the business community who are primarily interested in Profits have all along influenced government‘s decision on this matter and unfortunately, government has also chosen to side with this group as its interest seems to be on more revenue collection in taxes at the expense of people’s health and the overall health of the Environment.
National Association of Professional environmentalists Director Frank Muramuzi thanked president for this move.
“We wish to commend government for the ban on Kavera without heeding to the intimidation by the business community however government should cease interfering with the technical work and mandate of NEMA. The business community should work towards putting in place industries or businesses that are environmentally friendly, ” Muramuzi said.
He was however concerned with that the current dilly-darling of government through the office of the prime minister which he says has frustrated efforts of National Environment Management Authority.
” The National Association of Professional Environmentalists (NAPE) is concerned that Government has continued to interfere with the legitimate functions of NEMA and against the wish of the majority Ugandans to ban Kavera. We are also concerned that the business community has continued to produce Kavera and influencing Government to lift the ban without providing appropriate remedial solutions to the negative impacts associated with the Kavera, “Muramuzi said.
He asked government to include civil society in sensitization drive and policy making process saying government has continued to neglect advice from civil society on possible alternatives to the Kavera.
Check also;
- Slow Movement On The Ban Of Polythene
- Uganda Set To Ban Charcoal Business
- NEMA Explains Large Scale Fish Deaths At Lake Victoria Shores
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