Uganda is moving closer to a nationwide ban on single-use plastics after the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) completed a draft Bill aimed at eliminating the products commonly known as kaveera.
The proposed legislation, which is awaiting tabling before Parliament, forms part of the government’s broader strategy to address plastic pollution, urban flooding, and environmental degradation. Authorities say single-use plastics have significantly contributed to blocked drainage systems, wetland destruction, and frequent flooding in urban areas, especially in Kampala.
Speaking on the proposed law, NEMA Executive Director Barirega Akankwasah said the authority is already encouraging the adoption of environmentally friendly packaging options to ease the transition when the legislation comes into force.
The alternatives being promoted include reusable fabric bags, paper-based packaging, recyclable plastic products, and biodegradable materials derived from organic sources.
“The Bill is coming to ban single-use plastics. This Bill is already in process. Very soon, we shall say bye-bye to single-use plastics, which are very problematic to the environment,” Dr Barirega said.
He urged manufacturers, businesses, and consumers to begin shifting towards sustainable packaging solutions and recyclable materials that can be reused rather than discarded after a single use.
“We call upon all producers, manufacturers, and citizens to embrace this new journey of transitioning from problematic single-use plastics to alternative sources of packaging and recyclable, non-single-use plastics,” he added.
Dr Barirega also called on both public and private institutions to reduce dependence on plastic water bottles. He encouraged hotels, government agencies, and companies to adopt glass containers, while urging beverage manufacturers to expand the use of returnable glass bottles.
Addressing concerns from industry players, the NEMA chief clarified that the planned legislation is not intended to eliminate all plastic products from the market. Instead, it specifically targets single-use items considered harmful to the environment.
According to him, the government has introduced measures, including excise taxes on virgin plastic granules, to support alternative packaging industries and create a more competitive market for sustainable products.
“We cannot say that we shall phase out all plastics, because most items utilize plastic. But we shall phase out single-use plastics, which are highly problematic. Plastic is here to stay, but plastic that is safe for the environment is what we shall promote,” he explained.
NEMA estimates that Uganda produces more than 600 metric tonnes of plastic waste every day. The authority says less than 40 percent of that waste is collected and managed properly, while the majority ends up in drainage systems, wetlands, water bodies, and public spaces.
The latest proposal represents the government’s sixth effort to eliminate plastic bags from the country. Previous attempts launched in 2007, 2009, 2015, 2018, and 2021 faced implementation challenges and weak enforcement.
Despite earlier restrictions, prohibited plastic bags continued to be manufactured locally, imported, and smuggled into the country. Enforcement efforts were further complicated after provisions in the National Environment Act 2019 shifted some regulatory responsibilities to the Uganda National Bureau of Standards, an agency primarily focused on product certification.
NEMA Public Relations Officer William Lubuulwa said previous regulations proved difficult to enforce because they focused on plastic thickness thresholds, particularly products below 30 microns.
“The earlier approach was difficult to implement because differentiating between 30, 40, 50, or even 80-micron plastics was nearly impossible for officers in the field,” Lubuulwa said.
“The new Bill seeks a total ban on single-use plastics, making enforcement much clearer and more effective.”
He added that NEMA has carried out extensive consultations and technical assessments to ensure the proposed law is practical, enforceable, and legally sound.
If approved by Parliament, supporters of the Bill believe it could significantly reduce plastic pollution, strengthen climate resilience, improve public health, and contribute to the protection of Uganda’s fragile ecosystems.
