Kinyara Sugar Limited and Hima Cement were among the organisations recognised at the third edition of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) Sustainability Awards held at Serena Hotel in Kampala on Saturday.
The awards, held under the theme “Innovation for Climate Resilience,” celebrated individuals, institutions, companies and communities demonstrating outstanding commitment to environmental conservation, climate action and sustainable development.
According to NEMA, winners were selected through a rigorous evaluation process involving independent experts, field verification exercises, due diligence and assessment against established environmental sustainability criteria.
Kinyara Sugar Limited won the Climate Smart Agriculture Award, while Hima Cement received the Circular Economy Award.
Hima Cement was recognised for its adoption of environmentally friendly technologies aimed at reducing carbon emissions and conserving biodiversity in its operations.
Speaking after receiving the award, Kinyara Sugar Public Relations Officer Francis Mugerwa attributed the recognition to the company's extensive environmental conservation and sustainable farming initiatives.
“We are grateful that we have been awarded for the smart agriculture practices and innovations such as restoration and conservation of wetlands and natural forests, pioneering the production of bio-fertiliser in East Africa, green harvesting of sugarcane, intercropping sugarcane with legumes such as soybeans to replenish soil nutrients organically, massive tree planting using indigenous species, application of filter mud and boiler ash as soil amendments, and use of natural predators for pest control and management,” Mugerwa said.
He added that the company's integration of environmentally friendly technologies across the sugar value chain has strengthened conservation efforts, improved agricultural productivity and enhanced compliance with environmental standards.
“Our integration of environmentally friendly technologies and approaches along the sugar value chain has improved sustainable conservation, enhanced agricultural productivity and strengthened our compliance with environmental stewardship,” he said.
Mugerwa noted that the company works closely with farmers, local communities, government agencies, development partners and other stakeholders to implement its sustainability programmes.
Kinyara Sugar's award was received by the company's Chief Executive Officer, Ramalingam Ravi, accompanied by Public Relations Officer Francis Mugerwa, Environment Manager Moses Enjama and the Chairman of Masindi Sugarcane Growers Association Limited (MSGAL), Robert Atugonza.
NEMA Executive Director Dr. Akankwasa Barirega said the awards are intended to recognise and celebrate organisations and individuals that demonstrate exceptional commitment to environmental stewardship and compliance with environmental laws and standards.
“Manufacturers are investing in greener production processes, and communities continue to restore degraded ecosystems while creating sustainable livelihoods,” Barirega said.
He noted that the nominees and winners had demonstrated that environmental sustainability and economic growth can complement each other.
“Their work shows that environmental stewardship is not a constraint on development, but rather an enabler of long-term prosperity,” he said.
Barirega encouraged stakeholders to continue innovating and inspiring others through sustainable practices that create opportunities for businesses, communities and the wider economy.
Delivering the keynote address, the Governor of the Bank of Uganda, Dr Michael Atingi-Ego, commended NEMA and the award recipients for advancing sustainable environmental management.
He warned that climate change is already affecting Uganda through increasingly frequent floods, prolonged droughts, landslides, heat stress, ecosystem degradation and disruptions to livelihoods.
“These shocks are affecting households, businesses, infrastructure, agriculture and ultimately the stability of the economy itself,” Atingi-Ego said.
He noted that climate-related disasters affect productivity, investment and economic growth by damaging assets, reducing agricultural output and increasing uncertainty.
“Investing in resilience today is therefore an investment in Uganda's future competitiveness, productivity and prosperity,” he added.
The Minister of Water and Environment, Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, who presided over the ceremony, called on all stakeholders to strengthen environmental protection efforts for the benefit of current and future generations.
He expressed concern over the continued destruction of natural ecosystems and pledged that his ministry would maintain a zero-tolerance approach towards encroachment on wetlands, forests and other ecologically sensitive areas.
