New law: Those caught littering will be fined Shs 2 million

Uganda has enacted a new law that criminalizes littering across the territory.

Persons found guilty are liable to a fine or jail term, government 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 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,” he said at a press briefing.

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 Shs 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.