On Friday 1st June 2018 at exactly 9 am, the Kampala Air Quality Monitor of the US Embassy placed Kampala’s air quality at 122 on the Real-Time Air Quality Index. This implied that air was unhealthy for sensitive groups of people especially those with Asthma and Respiratory Ailments.
This is the Old Taxi Park located in the heart of Kampala City. Majority of the cars here are not in their best condition with many already having outlived their stipulated lifespan. Nonetheless, they continue to ply the country's roads.
Due to old age, these cars emit exhaust fumes hence poisoning the environment explaining the low air quality. Experts noted that old cars produce partially burnt carbon particles which are dangerous to humans. “The number of cars has inflicted the city and many of those cars also use one of the most burnt fuel which is diesel and they produce exhaust fumes.” Said, Isaac Kabongo – Executive Director, ECO.
Most cars imported into the country are 10 years or more years old. To make matters worse, old vehicles rarely receive routine maintenance once they are on the roads.
The lack of maintenance is hardly surprising, mini-bus operators rarely own the vehicles they drive and they are more interested in making profits than keeping their cars in good mechanical condition.
Pollution is believed to be the biggest killer in most developing countries like Uganda. Contaminated, air, water, and soils claim millions of lives every year. “Pollution is a reality and what we see as a reality of pollution is that it affects all categories of people.” Said, Dr. Grace SanyaAchan.
Geoffrey Ayenyi is an Activist for Climate Change who has a passion for the environment and does this advocacy work through walking while sensitizing the masses the dangers of polluting the environment and the need for planting trees.
Ayenyi exercises his body from the areas around Luzira Industrial Park. He was however worried that his health was at risk due to pollution from industries and factories within the area. “There are too much industrial chemical fumes that come directly to your face, to your nose and it is a health problem.” Said, Geoffrey Ayenyi – Activist for Climate Change.
Air pollution is mainly caused by motor vehicles most especially in urban areas like Kampala although there are other causes like open waste burning and fumes from factories. “So in general, air pollution comes from emissions which come from various sources. When you run your vehicle, the exhaust which comes it contains most of these other substances that I have indicated.” Said, Dr. Tom Okurut – Executive Director, NEMA.
The environmental watchdog NEMA carries out the routine studies of quality of Kampala’s air. NEMA’s Executive Director Dr. Tom Okurut says these studies suggest that there is still some hope of improving the quality of the city’s air unlike other capitals around the continent. “Contrary to what has been reported that Kampala is an air polluted city, we have not got those figures, we have now got measurements in the five roundabouts, we have done measurements away from there. We are now moving to put our measurements in the industrial spaces.”
There is a need to address the underlying factors and here among others is the strengthening of laws on pollution. This can be done by embracing the green economy strategy.
It is also important for drivers to service their cars through regular replacement of oil or fuel filters and switching off engines during traffic jams.
