Pramukh, Modern Distillers, Gold Star, Mellennium tiles, Master Green Milling, Blue Ribbon, and Victoria Central Nile plastics are reportedly sabotaging the wellbeing of the communities of Wakisi and Njeru Central Divisions in Buikwe district following the uncontrolled water and air pollution which has caused several turn of events in the area.
Residents of Lower Naava, Upper Naava, Misiri, Nankwanga, Naminya, Naluwelele, Buloba, and Triangle cells among others are at risk of acquiring diseases due to wastewater mismanaged from the factories in Njeru municipality that has no gazetted place for waste discharge and disposal.
The furious locals are petitioning the Parliament of Uganda and other concerned authorities to address the health challenges emanating from the pollution being caused by polluting companies.
Water pollution in the area is at the peak due to improper industrial wastewater management that is discharged off into different water streams of Naava and Misiri.
The streams also serve as channels for their effluent discharged from the industries and well water sources for the communities.
Residents decry the spectre of the communities including small holder farmers who have lost several domestic animals from consumption of the water in the streams, fishermen who no longer get fish, women and girls that are not only getting difficulties in looking for clean water for domestic use but also the effects to their reproductive health making them susceptible to diseases.
“The situation at hand is very critical, and if there is no urgent action, the worst could happen. The relationship between the industries and communities could worsen, and the companies may not thrive as desired because we as the community holds the power to influence any activity in our area with special influence in production capacity,” says Jackson Siibi, the leader of the group.
“Most of the companies are not meeting the NEMA regulatory standards and if we do not act now, we would not be prepared to face the worse impacts that may arise soon, putting the community at a very high risk,” he added.
In their petition addressed to the speaker of Parliament, Ministry of Energy, NEMA, Security bosses and Njeru Town Clerk, residents demand that industries should proprely treat all wastewater before release, adhere to the regulatory standards of NEMA and as well build proper channels of waste.
They also call upon companies to restore eroded river banks due to the affected chemicals that make the soil loosen up and collapse and restoration of the damaged ecosystems and biodiversity through availing an enabling environment for natural processes to thrive.
Hassan Waguma Kiiya, the chairperson of Naminya central village, decried politicians for taking brown envelopes from the accused factories to undermine the concerns of the citizens.
According to Joanitah Babirye, the Executive Director Girl for Climate Action, a local nonprofit organisation advocating for the proper conservation of environment, Parliament and other concerned authorities must address the matter and prioritise the health and well-being of locals.
The organisation mobilized the community members, and over 300 signatures were collected in support of the petition.
“We shall sue these companies if they don’t act responsibly. We did a lot of analysis and research, and these companies are really polluting the area, and the lives of our women we fight for are at risk,” she said.
The factories are not only accused for water and air pollution but also exploiting employees with fewer salaries, and many have lost lives due to accidents as many lack protective gear.
The National Environmental Act 2019 section 39 provides that the community has a right to clean and healthy environment, and citizens of the country are key stakeholders and also deserve priority in all the decision-making processes.
