Uganda has enacted a
new law that criminalizes littering across the territory. Persons found guilty
are liable to a fine or jail term, the sector ministry announced on Tuesday.
The Ministry of Lands,
Housing and Urban Development said the new measures are in line with new developments
in physical planning.
Isaac Musumba, the
Minister of State for Urban development at press briefing said the
implementation of the new regulations had been placed in the hands of chief –
parish or county, “because these are the people on the ground,” .
A statement issued by
the ministry said: “Under the Physical Planning Amendment Act no.2 of 2020, the
following provisions as at 10th January 2020 are now put into law.
“It shall be an
offence to litter. Every person in Uganda is now under obligation to refrain
from littering or dropping rubbish outside the litter bins. On conviction, the
offender will be subjected to a fine of up to Ugx 2 Million or imprisonment for
a period not exceeding one year or both.”
Other offences under
the law are:
Premises without
litter or garbage bins – same fine as littering
Throwing rubbish out
of moving vehicles or sugarcane loaders leaving leaves heaps on roads same as
pineapple peelings
It is an offence for a
house to look dirty and untidy
It is an offence to
not cut grass on one’s premises – fine of littering applies
Businesses without
pavers and unmaintained premises commit an offence
Businesses must have a
sign with street and plot name inscribed on it
Where a local government fails to implement the directives in the law, its funding will be reduced and withheld until compliance but an architect warns that the government needs to sensitize the public on the law.