Every year, large amounts of chemicals are imported into Uganda for use in various economic activities. Recent discoveries of large oil and gas deposits mean the country is poised to experience massive growth in these emerging industries, and the amount of chemicals brought into Uganda is expected to increase.
Current government institutions do not have adequate capacity to manage larger quantities of chemicals and waste, so enhancing their capacities in this respect is imperative. To this end, the UN Environment’s Special Programme on Institutional Strengthening for Chemicals and Waste Management officially launched a three-year project in Uganda in August 2018 to strengthen the country’s institutional capacity to adequately manage an increased amount of chemicals and waste.
In order to ensure the country is not overwhelmed by an increased amount of chemicals and waste, the project is designed to bring together all stakeholders involved and enhance cooperation. Crucial for this will be the establishment of a multi-sectoral committee that ensures the sound management of chemicals and brings together representatives from government ministries, academic institutions, civil society organizations and the private sector.
Trainings on the risks of managing different chemicals will also take this approach, and target both government employees and people in the private sector, specifically those working in the oil and gas industries. Other groups will be educated as well, specifically people exposed to chemicals on a daily basis, which includes farmers, artisanal gold miners, people employed in tanneries and factory workers. The agriculture and industrial workers are often exposed to serious risks associated with poor usage and handling of the chemicals, often due to lack of awareness of the risks.
Additionally, data on the state of chemicals and waste management in the country will be critically important. A national database of chemicals and waste will be developed, helping to ensure that Uganda adheres to the Basel, Rotterdam, Stockholm, and Minamata conventions. Most important will be the revision and documentation of data on the import, export, production, transport, use, storage and disposal of chemicals and waste in the oil and gas sector. The project will also update its National Chemicals Profile to take into account developments in the oil and gas sectors as well as in e-waste management.
