The National Environment Management Authority, NEMA in Uganda has started implementing the law on the ban on polythene bags in Uganda.
However, the government has asked for more time advising the environment body to suspend the ban.
Prime Minister Rukahana Rugunda said the suspension follows an agreement reached by government, Uganda Manufactures Association (UMA) and Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) on April 14.
The country’s environment watchdog agency, National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) which had issued a public notice to start enforcing the ban on the production and use of polythene bags in Uganda on April 15, went ahead with the operation, even impounding polythene bags from supermarkets.
Polythene bag manufactures have expressed concern about the ban which was meant to take effect on April 15, 2015. They first want to carry out more research and find alternatives for the over 14 companies manufacturing polythene bags.
There have been divided opinions in the country following the government’s proposal to prohibit and impose a total ban on plastic bags.
NEMA says the “the economic, health and social costs of the continued use of polythene bags outweighs the economic benefits derived from the production of bags and its cost is reflected in the increasing cost of malaria, reduced agricultural productivity and infrastructure repairs.”
Approximately 39,600 tonnes of polythene waste is released into the environment and most of it accumulates in the soil each year in Uganda,according to the environmental watchdog.
