Police to enforce Shs6m NEMA penalty for lack of dustbin in car

KAMPALA, UGANDA: Police has started an awareness campaign to popularize the new express penalty scheme introduced by NEMA (National Environmental Degradation Authority) to deter non-compliance to environmental laws and to prevent environmental degradation.

This was revealed by police spokesperson SCP Fred Enanga while addressing journalists on Monday at the forces’ headquarters in Naguru, Kampala.

Enanga said the awareness campaign is expected to run for four weeks until March 31st, while the enforcement of the new NEMA penalty scheme is expected to start April 1st, 2023.

“Environmental police and our police in all jurisdictions have teamed up with NEMA and other stakeholders to continue with expansive awareness drives as a countdown to the enforcement of laws and regulations on littering and noise pollution,” Enanga said.

According to the penalty fines introduced by NEMA last month, once you are found without a dustbin in the car, an express penalty of Shs 6 million fine will be charged to you, while the same will apply to a motorist captured throwing rubbish through their car window.

Enanga welcomed the new NEMA policy and said this will help in reducing noise pollution and littering of rubbish, which has for long become a custom in the urban centres.

“Littering and noise pollution has become an epidemic in the country with streets, roads, gardens, compounds and drainages plagued with litter and revellers, pedestrians and motorists dropping litter. We will be using CCTV cameras to observe and arrest those littering,” Enanga said.

He added that Police and NEMA will team up with KCCA, UPDF, NGOs, religious leaders and local governments to conduct a robust education program on how to counter littering and noise pollution ahead of the enforcement next month.

“We urge want to urge the public and visitors to the country to follow these guidelines or else we will arrest offenders and fined.”