The World Environment Day celebrations in Mbale started with a procession in the town to create awareness about pollution from plastics which are creating an environmental hazard. Officials of the Ministry of Water and Environment, the National Environment Management Authority and other stakeholders were in Mbale town. The Minister Sam Cheptoris planted a tree and joined an exhibition of several eco-friendly innovations whose makers say can be used to conserve the environment.

The president through the Water and Environment Minister Sam Cheptoris issued a directive to ban the manufacture of single-use plastics especially polythene bags. “His Excellency is saying the tuned manufacture of banned products must stop, improve your technology and quality of products. Ladies and gentlemen, this year, we want to ask all Ugandans to avoid using single-use plastics.” Said, Sam Cheptoris – Minister of Water and Environment. And also speaking on behalf of 20 member states that form the European Union, the Ambassador of France revealed that the world must treat the issue of plastics seriously and not be ignoring the impact of climate change. “Evidence is forth of our eyes, powerful leaders including Mr. Donald Trump are trying to ignore the truth. They say that it will kill industries and jobs but it is simply not true.” Said, Stephanel Rivoal – French Ambassador to Uganda. The Executive Director of the National Environmental Management Authority Tom Okurut has asked Ugandans not to use single-use plastics which are a big danger to the environment. “In Uganda here we are targeting what we call single-use plastics, not the chairs you are seated at. Single-use and the single use is what we commonly call Kavera. So you have the power to reject when you go to the shop if they give you Kavera you say NO am not taking Kavera.” Said, Tom Okurut – Executive Director, NEMA.

For the World Environment Day celebration to take place in Mbale district in Eastern Uganda is symbolic because this district is one of the few areas in Uganda that have been adversely affected by climate change. Nearby in Bududa district, the heavy mudslides that have been affecting the people and also the people who are living on the slopes of Mt. Elgon. Although the theme this year round has been around plastics, you cannot rule out that climate change in this area is very real for the people and has heavily affected them.