The Prime Minster Dr Ruhakana Rugunda today issues another statement on the ban on Buveera following the Wednesday cabinet meeting.
Rugunda said in the statement that Cabinet discussed and agreed that the implementation on the ban of, “plastic carrier bags of 30 microns and below continues while consultations are held to discuss the handling of other types of polythene carrier bags.”
The statement comes as the campaign to end the use of polythene carrier bags being implemented by NEMA, the Country’s Environment watchdog entered day two.
See below is the statement
Friends: I informed you that consultations on the effective implementation of the ban on polythene carrier bags were ongoing. Today, I wish to share with you CABINET decision on the matter as follows:
After consultations on the issue of the ban of polythene carrier bags popularly known as Buveera, Cabinet yesterday 15th of April 2015 discussed the matter and decided as follows:
1. Implementation of the ban in respect to plastic carrier bags of 30 microns and below continues while consultations are held to discuss the handling of other types of polythene carrier bags.
2. An Inter-Ministerial Committee has been set up to examine the matter further to conclude the consultation process, and prepare a Cabinet Paper within 30 days for the consideration and decision of Cabinet. The Committee comprises of: Ministers of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives; Water and Environment; Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries; Finance, Planning and Economic Development; together with the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA); Uganda Manufacturers’ Association; and Kampala City Traders’ Association (KACITA).
3. Manufacturers and distributors have been directed to establish polythene collection centres across the country and intensify public sensitization on polythene waste management.
4. The ban applies to the importation, local manufacture, sale or use of polythene carrier bags. This ban excludes polythene packaging materials for the following purposes: agriculture; industrial use; medical use; research and science; sanitation; construction material; and exports. It also excludes polythene packaging materials for foodstuffs such as bread, milk and other groceries.
All stakeholders are directed to comply.
