The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has announced that effective April 1, 2023, they will in addition to existing criminal prosecution measures; commence an administrative fine Shs6m for environmental breaches.
Dr. Akankwasa Barirega, the NEMA Executive Director told journalists that the express penalty scheme is intended to deter noncompliance to environment laws and to prevent environmental degradation through payment of monetary penalties.
Dr Barirega said that all violators will be fined Shs6M by giving an invoice for a fine to individuals.
“The offenders who don’t have dust bins in their vehicles will also be fined up to shs6 million in the new express penalty scheme. Those found destroying, damaging or disturbing wetlands in a manner that has or is likely to have an adverse effect on any plant or animal will pay a fine of up to shs3 million,” Dr. Barirega said.
She also highlighted that under the new express penalty offenders will be required to pay threw fine within a specified period of time and to a specific bank account.
A section of road users have however come out to contest this move saying that it only going to a source of enriching the police.
Mr Ian Mukiibi a taxi driver said in an interview that, “Such laws need to be carefully read and understood, we are good at making laws but making sure that they achieve their intended goal is something we have failed to do. So I wonder how this is going to help is anyway or it’s a move to frustrate road users.”
“When we get you breaching you an environment requirement, you get an invoice and pay to government to clean up for the mess that you have done. If you dispose waste on a roadside for example throwing around maize cobs or meat sticks or bottles throw the window of your car, ”Dr. Barirega told journalists
The NEMA Executive Director said the move is not aimed at ensuring government gets money but to make sure that we can collectively conserve the environment.
“We shall be working with other agencies including Police, UPDF, NEMA inspectors, UNRA, Uganda Wildlife Authority and National Forestry Authority to enforce this. We are also establishing the environment protection force to enforce this,”Dr. Barirega said.
