NEMA warns of heavy fines as new domestic waste pilot begins ‎ -

National environmental regulators launched a targeted domestic waste management pilot Saturday, an initiative designed to shore up urban climate resilience and enforce long-standing anti-littering statutes in one of the country’s fastest-growing municipalities.

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‎The project, spearheaded by the National Environment Management Authority, focuses on Upper Nabuti Village in Mukono. Backed by the International Growth Centre and the London School of Economics, the yearlong strategy aims to move Uganda’s urban centers toward a circular economy by institutionalizing waste segregation at the household level.

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‎The initiative, titled Domestic Solid Waste Management Strategies for Sustainable Urban Growth and Climate Resilience in Uganda, targets the critical gap between household disposal habits and municipal collection systems. By training residents to separate biodegradable organic matter from non-biodegradable recyclables, NEMA officials hope to reduce the volume of refuse reaching overextended landfills and prevent the drainage blockages that exacerbate urban flooding.

‎Under the pilot, licensed waste handlers will coordinate with community scouts to monitor behavior change and streamline collection logistics. To validate the project’s efficacy, the neighboring area of Kiwanga has been designated as a control site, allowing regulators to compare sanitation outcomes and community participation rates.

‎Local authorities in Mukono welcomed the intervention, citing the persistent challenges of street littering and the public health risks associated with informal dumping. If the Upper Nabuti model proves successful, NEMA intends to scale the framework to other high-density urban corridors across the country.

‎The launch also serves as a high-profile enforcement reminder. Under the National Environment Act, littering is a criminal offense carrying a fine of up to 11 million shillings or imprisonment. The law holds individuals and business owners strictly accountable for the waste generated within their premises, prohibiting any disposal in public spaces, roadsides or water bodies.

‎Naomi N. Karekaho, head of corporate communications at NEMA, said the project is a vital step in fostering a culture of environmental responsibility.

‎She said NEMA seeks to transform waste from a public health nuisance into a resource for composting and recycling.