Florence Namayanja, the Mayor of Masaka City, has expressed strong support for a new initiative aimed at eliminating polythene bags from the city. The project, driven by local environmentalists, comes at a perfect time as Uganda celebrates World Environment Day on June 25, 2025.
Polythene pollution poses a serious threat to the environment, and Uganda generates large amounts of plastic waste that often end up in landfills or harm the natural surroundings.
Environmental advocates in Masaka are pushing for a new bylaw that will govern the use of plastic bags in the city’s Nyendo Mukungwe division. This area, which consists of 6 parishes and 80 villages, will serve as the pilot project before the law is expanded to other parts of Masaka. The aim of the bylaw is to reduce plastic bag use and promote environmental conservation.
Speaking to the press on June 24, 2025, at her office, Mayor Namayanja praised the initiative, calling it a much-needed solution to polythene bag pollution.
“I commend this proposal to ban polythene bags in Nyendo Mukungwe division. As you know, this city has two divisions, and what happens in one affects the other. Polythene bags have become a major disaster for our environment and our lives,” Namayanja stated.
Tony Kalyango, CEO of Biodiversity Conservation, shared that community meetings will be held to gather input from residents. The project, titled “Towards a Waste-Free Nyendo Mukungwe,” is expected to last 5 months.
This project will also provide job opportunities for local residents and youth, who will produce paper bags as an eco-friendly alternative to polythene.
Naome Karikaho, Head of Corporate Communications at NEEMA, highlighted that plastic pollution is negatively impacting Uganda’s public and natural resources, agriculture, and the environment.
World Environment Day celebrations, which are taking place at Kigezi High School in Kabale District, will emphasize the need for a nationwide shift toward improved plastic waste management.
This year’s World Environment theme is “United Against Plastic Pollution.”
