By Mulengera Reporters
Green Action for Sustainable Production (GASP) hosted a community-led waste drive at Luzira Portbell, an initiative designed to empower local communities to actively participate in waste management and environmental conservation.
This event is part of GASP’s ongoing efforts to contribute to a cleaner, healthier Uganda as the country celebrates the 8th Water and Environment Week.
The GASP Waste Drive is a collaborative effort involving four key members: Crown Beverages Limited, Uganda Breweries, Harris International Limited, and Mukwano Industries. The initiative aims to promote sustainable waste management practices within local communities.
The event featured a range of activities, starting with community engagement in sustainable waste management. Volunteers and stakeholders participated in a clean-up drive, collecting and segregating waste to ensure its proper disposal.
In addition to the clean-up activities, GASP donated garbage bins, wheelbarrows, and other equipment to the Luzira Landing Site community, reinforcing the importance of proper waste disposal and environmental conservation.
The initiative encourages residents to take an active role in maintaining a clean environment and reducing pollution, particularly around Lake Victoria, which faces significant environmental threats.
Speaking at the event, Suleiman Ngondi, the Interim Chief Executive Officer of GASP, highlighted the organization’s desire to introduce itself to the public through this educational initiative. “We chose to introduce ourselves through this impactful activity, which also serves as an educational platform for communities. Effective waste management must start from the grassroots,” he stated.
Ngondi emphasized the need for a cultural shift in waste management, noting that consumer education is crucial to help individuals understand how to handle waste responsibly.
“Managing waste effectively requires a change in mindset. Consumer education plays a vital role in ensuring people know what to do with waste. Consumers must go beyond simply enjoying products and start questioning where their waste ends up,” he explained.
He further noted that GASP is leading the way in providing solutions by collecting waste on behalf of its members and encouraged others to join the effort. “We are pioneering a solution by facilitating waste collection for our members, and we believe more organizations should get involved,” he said.
Ngondi also called on more companies to join the initiative, emphasizing that waste management is a systemic issue that requires collective action. “We are urging more companies to join this cause because addressing waste management effectively requires everyone’s involvement. We need as many member companies as possible to tackle this challenge comprehensively,” he concluded.
Dan Kiguli Kibuuka, from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), praised the companies for coming together to implement extended producer responsibility and product stewardship. He noted the provisions within the National Environment Act, Chapter 181, which require manufacturers to undertake extended producer responsibility and product stewardship, are beginning to be implemented.
Kiguli highlighted that NEMA has put forward principles for the National Environment Extended Producer’s Responsibility, and they are awaiting stakeholder input before the regulations are gazetted.
“As required by the National Environment waste management regulations and instrument 49 of page 20, even before a better detailed graduation for extended producer responsibility and products had been gazetted. At the moment, NEMA has put up principles for this area, the National Environment Extended Producer’s Responsibility, and they are yet to get stakeholders to get the input and have it gazetted,” he explained.
Kiguli expressed his appreciation for the companies that have already started implementing these measures, as it helps guide the development of this regulation.
“I’m happy that these companies have gone ahead and started implementing so that they can guide the law development and also help in implementing this regulation,” he added.
Grace Nshemeire-Gwaku, the Chief Operating Officer at the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), also commended GASP for its initiative. She highlighted the issue of Uganda importing a significant amount of waste and products that are at the end of their lifecycle. She expressed gratitude that companies are collaborating to help conserve the environment.
Sheilla Sabone, the Corporate Director at Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL), noted that they have donated bins as part of their effort to educate people about waste management.
“It is the responsibility of companies to educate people while the people, in turn, drive the mindset change. People can drive the mindset to say that this is actually waste that cannot decompose,” she said. She also emphasized the importance of collaboration with distributors, companies, and individuals to support the initiative.
Elizabeth Barungi, the Chairperson of LC1 Railway Quarters Village at Luzira Portbell, expressed her gratitude to GASP for the initiative. She encouraged the community to make use of the donated equipment to improve hygiene in the area.
“We are excited to receive these equipments and educational sessions by GASP, which provided valuable insights on proper waste disposal and best practices for recycling. I encourage people to use them appropriately as this will improve our hygiene,” she said.
Mahdi Mshaimesh, the Chief Commercial Officer at Harris International Limited, emphasized the importance of the collective effort to address post-consumer waste. “We are trying to bring together an organization that can be an umbrella for joint efforts to actually deal with this issue, and to ensure that all the waste is sustainably collected, recycled, treated, and handled,” he said. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
