The Uganda Police Force is set to begin enforcing laws, regulations and protocols against environmental crimes of littering and noise pollution which have lately become rampant.
In a press releasee on Monday, the police spokesperson SCP Fred Enanga revealed that they have teamed up with NEMA, Kampala City Authority, UPDF, all Local Governments, NGOs, religious leaders, the business community, the transport sector, schools, the media and all MDAs among others in conducting sustained and robust public education programs for the next 27 days on how to counter littering, illegal dumping and noise pollution.
“We all need to concert efforts and reverse this trend by turning the declining attitude towards our environment, into a more positive one, for a better environment to live and work in.”
Enanga noted that the amount of litter dropped each year on roadsides, streets, drainages, in private and public spaces in form of plastic bags, polythene bags, food wrappers, boxes, garbage has been on the rise thus reducing the value of the natural environment.
The awareness campaigns will be widely carried out on television, posters, print media and stakeholder engagements. Citizens and visitors in the country have been urged to follow the NEMA guidelines on public space and help prevent litter and noise. Common elements of the guidelines include bin placement, plastic bag litter management at recreational parks, carparks, public transport parks, sports venues, restaurants and other places where large gatherings congregate.
They have also called upon all Local Governments to get involved in the prevention of litter campaigns, through initiatives like bin placement and emptying, litter patrols, street sweeping and manual clean ups, litter prevention education campaigns in partnership with local businesses, industry stakeholder groups, and private sector. Educational flyers and other advertising materials in local languages to reinforce the campaign are also important.
“The public should know that if voluntary compliance on littering and noise pollution is not obtained by 1st April, 2023, our Environmental Protection Officers will proceed with the enforcement process, which typically includes, imposing an EPS fine or other penalties. Chronic noise producers who refuse to cooperate or follow the prescribed mitigation plan, shall be subjected to civil penalties, court action and suspension of outdoor amplified or acoustic music for a period. The mitigation plan may include; restrictions on days of the week, or hours of noise producing activity, structural changes, reviews, revision or termination of the plan.”
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