Stakeholders Call for Sustainable Transport Solutions

Stakeholders in the transport sector have called for accelerated adoption of sustainable transport solutions to mitigate the worrying air pollution in Kampala.

This was during the Green Mobility Stakeholders Forum held in Kampala, organised by the Ministry of Works and Transport and AirQo Project, Makerere University brought together stakeholders in the transport sector to discuss pathways for reducing transportation-related emissions and improving air quality.

Speaking during the forum, Winstone Katushabe, the Commissioner, of Transport Regulation and Safety at the Ministry of Works and Transport noted that transport is the dominant cause of air pollution and greenhouse emissions in major cities globally including Kampala.

“This forum is a first step towards collaborative engagement on sustainable mobility solutions, bringing together key stakeholders to explore actionable strategies for reducing transportation-related emissions, improving air quality, and fostering a cleaner, safer, prosperous, and healthier urban environment for our cities," he said.

He emphasised the importance of the government making data-driven decisions and policies instead of relying on guesswork. This involves integrating technology platforms to collect data on air quality and emission levels. " By investing in long-term infrastructure solutions, a sustainable, greener mobility system can be achieved," he noted.

According to a recent research conducted by AirQo during the COVID-19 lockdown, air pollution (PM2.5) levels in Kampala dropped by up to 50% due to reduced transportation activities.

“This research illustrates the critical role transportation plays in air pollution and urban emissions and sheds light on the urgent need for sustainable mobility solutions,” noted Professor, Engineer Bainomugisha, the AirQo Project Lead.

Professor Bainomugisha noted that the AirQo Project has recently designed and built an autonomous technology solution that captures traffic data through imaging. Supported by Arm, the vehicle emissions estimation system will ensure an improved understanding of the scale and magnitude of vehicle emissions in Kampala City and its contribution to emissions and air pollution.

Namuyiga highlighted the authority's efforts in championing a car-free day to promote vehicle-free spaces.

This initiative aims to raise awareness among motorists about other road users, such as cyclists and pedestrians. KCCA is also promoting cycling by expanding cycling infrastructure in collaboration with the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP), which developed the Kampala cycling network.

"In line with these efforts, KCCA is encouraging the implementation of cycling infrastructure as part of broader transportation plans.

Additionally, on the car-free day, KCCA installed three air quality monitors—at Central Police Station, Buganda Road, and Grand Imperial—to assess air quality and provide data to support future interventions" she said.

The Uganda Bureau of Statistics reported a 7.9 percent increase in the number of newly registered motor vehicles and motorcycles, rising to 245,999 in 2022 from 227,952 in 2021. This growth according to experts underscores the pressing need for effective emission control measures.

“Transportation is a major contributor to air pollution, yet data on transport-related emissions is insufficient to drive effective interventions,” noted Prof. Bainomugisha “

The groundbreaking system, inclusive of monitors and digital interface will provide detailed estimates of vehicular emissions based on the make and model of vehicles.”

According to Bainomugisha, access to data-driven insights will enable authorities to prioritise sustainable mobility options like mass transport,non- motorised alternatives including walking and cycling, and incentives for better vehicle maintenance practices to create cleaner, healthier urban spaces.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution causes an estimated 8 million premature deaths worldwide each year. I

n Africa, air pollution leads to more than 1.2 million deaths annually, while in Uganda, air pollution led to over 27,000 deaths as of 2019 according to the State of Global Air 2020.