individuals Who Litter in Kampala Will be fined Shs 6 million Starting April.

The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) have announced the imminent introduction of an express penalty scheme to reduce environmental degradation and promote sustainability in Kampala.

The scheme will come into effect in less than two weeks and will impose instant fines of Shs 6 million on individuals who violate environmental laws, such as littering from commercial buildings or throwing trash out of car windows. 

Failure to carry out environmental and social impact assessments for projects may attract fines of up to Shs1billion or 15 years in prison, while corporate entities that breach this provision could pay up to Shs 6 billion.

The penalty scheme is modeled after the one used by traffic police, allowing for instant justice administration for environmental degradation. NEMA is currently developing guidelines for administering fines to ensure better implementation and to deter non-compliance with environmental laws.

According to Eng David Luyimbazi, the Deputy Executive Director of KCCA, compliance with environmental laws is essential for a sustainable environment and everyone has a role to play in environmental management.

KCCA is committed to creating a smart city, which cannot be achieved without a sustainable environment, and is determined to implement the express penalty scheme aggressively.

Arnold Waiswa Ayazika, the NEMA Director of Environmental Monitoring and Compliance, emphasized the need for everyone to protect the environment to prevent further degradation, and the penalty scheme is a step towards achieving a cleaner and more conducive environment for Kampala residents.

Bishop Andrew Lugolobi supports the implementation of the law but also called for more sensitization and stakeholder engagements.

 Mustafa Mayambala, the Deputy Chairman of the Uganda Taxi Operators Federation (UTOF), suggested putting dustbins in the city to make it easier for people to dispose of garbage.

The penalty scheme aims to deter people from littering and other activities that harm the environment, promoting sustainable practices and reducing waste to contribute to a smart city, according to KCCA.