Latest news with #Anywar
Zawya
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Uganda: ‘Gov't will follow law on expansion of Gulu University'
The Minister of State for Water and Environment (Environment), Hon. Beatrice Anywar has said that the degazettement of Gulu central forest reserve to allow for the expansion of Gulu University will be done in accordance with the National Forestry and Tree Planting Act, 2003. 'We follow procedures and it is not because we are frustrating efforts of Gulu University, we are following the law. We are not going to do anything outside the law to gazette or degazette any forest reserves,' she said. The Minister's remarks were part of her brief statement to Parliament on degazettement of land occupied by Gulu University, during plenary sitting on Thursday, 17 April 2025. She said that Gulu University, working with both Gulu City Authority and Nwoya district local government has provided alternative land in Nwoya district, which has been converted into free hold title in the names of Gulu University. 'Both the lands have been surveyed including boundary opening and now in the final process of doing valuation in accordance with sections 8 and 11 of the National Forestry and Tree Planting Act, 2003,' said Anywar. She added that what is left now is for the National Forestry Authority (NFA), Gulu City Authority and Gulu University to complete undertaking the Environment and Social Impact Assessment for both the Gulu Central Forest Reserve and the alternative land in Nwoya. After the assessment, Anywar said that a report will be submitted to the National Environment Management Authority for approval. 'Subsequently this status shall be submitted to cabinet for approval,' said Anywar. Hon. Christine Kaaya (NUP, Kiboga district) welcomed the decision by the Ministry to follow the law, and stressed the need for both the university and Nwoya district to carry out the environment impact assessment. Hon. Denis Oguzu Lee (FDC, Maracha County) also applauded the Ministry for following the right procedures on gazettement and degazettement. 'Cabinet must be mindful that the President [Yoweri Museveni] signed a declaration to end deforestation by 2030, so if you move without using the right procedures, you will be indicting the President before the global community,' he said. Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa urged the Minister to expedite the process, saying that the University has already planted trees. 'We need government to assess and see whether indeed we have met the conditions. Minister, help the University so that we expedite the process,' he said. In 2020, President Museveni directed the then Prime Minister, Ruhakana Rugunda to degazette 70 acres of Gulu Central Forest Reserve for expansion of the University. Parliament in 2021 passed a resolution approving the degazettement of the land. The land is expected to host the Faculties of Medicine, Agriculture, Environment, research laboratories and a hostel. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.
Zawya
09-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Uganda: Air quality regulations to be enforced
The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) working with the Ministry of Works and Transport will soon roll out the air quality regulations which were enacted in 2024. According to the NEMA Executive Director, Dr. Akankwasah Barirega, a two-year grace period will be given to allow for phasing-out of engine types that are below the Euro 4 standard, a European emissions standard for vehicles. 'You may realise that a one-stroke engine for boda bodas (motorcycles) can pollute as much as a bus engine because of less efficiency in burning of fuel,' said Dr. Barirega. Appearing before the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources on Tuesday, 08 April 2025, Barirega said that putting the government fleet of vehicles on the electric standard would go a long way in curbing emissions. 'How about the money given to Members of Parliament for vehicles, being given to Kiira Motor Corporation so that every MP is given an electric car made in Uganda. These are technical proposals that the community can consider,' he added. Barirega noted that a cut in the budget of the Ministry of Water and Environment in financial year 2024/2025 significantly affected NEMA's efforts to enforce environmental protection and management. He said that the authority currently employs 16 environment inspectors, four environment auditors and 44 environment protection force (EPF) staff, out of an approved total of 150 EPF positions. 'This staffing level indicated a significant gap. An additional 106 EPF staff are needed to fully meet our operational requirements and effectively enforce compliance with environment and social impact assessment conditions,' Dr. Barirega added. His concerns were reiterated by State Minister for Environment, Hon. Beatrice Anywar who said that a 54 per cent budget cut in financial years 2025/26 and 2026/27 will affect wetland restoration and degradation mitigation programmes. Anywar added that that approximately Shs50 million is required to restore one square kilometre of wetland. 'Following the budget cuts for subsequent financial years, the ministry will only be able to restore approximately 1,330 hectares of wetland. This is just a fraction of the required target of 6,540 square kilometres,' Anywar said. For the financial year 2025/2026, NEMA has been allocated Shs41.6 billion, excluding arrears, with key priorities including strengthening human resource management and strengthening regulation and enforcement against environmental pollution and degradation. The Committee Chairperson, Hon. Herbert Ariko raised concerns over business persons and entities that establish fuel stations in residential areas. 'Why has it become extremely incentivising to build petrol stations around people's homes and schools? I know you have guidelines but if anything happened to that fuel station, what would happen to the human habitat immediately surrounding it?' Ariko asked. Hon. Fredrick Angura (NRM, Tororo South County) asked NEMA to clarify on its participation in the declaration of the country as a planning area. According to the Physical Planning Act, 2010, the whole of Uganda was declared as a planning area requiring development in any part of the country to only take place in conformity with plan uses prescribed in structure and detail plans. 'That declaration means that we should get organised in terms of housing and projects that we are putting on the ground. Following problems like flooding in Kampala, what is NEMA's input in this declaration?' Angura wondered. Kumi District Woman Representative, Hon. Christine Apolot urged NEMA to have follow-up mechanisms to ensure its work is effective. 'A few years back, we had the Eureka Project in Kumi but if you visit the district now, you cannot see the impact of this project yet it would contribute a lot in regards to climate change,' Apolot said. Barirega said government has set up an inter-agency committee to look into the matter of fuel stations built around residential areas. 'Standards were developed and the State Minister for Lands in charge of Urban Planning issued them. They are stringent but will apply going forward; they cannot address the already established fuel stations,' he said. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.
Zawya
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Uganda: Police patrols to go electric to combat climate change
Government has unveiled a pilot programme to introduce electric vehicles for police patrols as part of efforts to combat climate change. The initiative was announced by the State Minister for Water and Environment, Hon. Beatrice Anywar, while responding to MPs' concerns during the plenary sitting chaired by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa on Thursday 6 March 2025. During the previous day's sitting, the Chairperson of the Committee on Climate Change, Hon. Lawrence Songa, had warned of impending heavy rains and floods linked to the current heatwave. He urged the government to adopt proactive disaster preparedness and mitigation strategies. 'This heat wave affects health, agriculture and the economy. Increased evaporation from Lake Victoria will likely cause heavy rainfall and flooding. We must focus on preparedness rather than reactive relief efforts,' he cautioned. He also criticized the country's inefficient transport system, stating, 'Our traffic jams generate excessive heat, increasing emissions. We burn too much fuel and waste money on vehicle maintenance.' Shadow Minister for Environment, Hon. Christine Kaaya, (NUP, Kiboga District Woman), emphasized the need for a comprehensive government response. 'Extreme weather patterns are driven by both local activities and global environmental mismanagement. How do we measure our contributions to adaptation and mitigation?' she said. Speaking on behalf of the Leader of the Opposition, Kalungu West MP, Hon. Joseph Ssewungu, called for stronger policies against deforestation and incentives for alternative energy sources. 'Ugandans can use gas, but its high cost remains a barrier. The government should reduce taxes on alternative energy sources to encourage adoption,' he said. Minister Anywar acknowledged the severe impact of climate change, stating that the transition to electric patrol vehicles would begin with the Uganda Police Force. 'During last Monday's Cabinet meeting, we resolved to start with the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Our police officers, who travel frequently, will be the first to receive electric motorcycles and vehicles,' she said. The Ministry of Environment predicts that the ongoing heat wave will subside by mid-March, bringing cooler temperatures and rainfall. Anywar attributed the extreme conditions to seasonal dry weather, the sun's position near the equator, a tropical cyclone in the Indian Ocean, and the urban heat island effect. She reassured MPs that costs would decline once Uganda begins oil and gas production in the Albertine region. 'The government has already subsidized 40 percent of gas cylinder costs. This reduction is in place to make gas more accessible,' she said. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.
Zawya
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Uganda: Members of Parliament raise alarm on impending floods after heat wave
The Chairperson of the Committee on Climate Change, Hon. Lawrence Biyika, has warned of the impending heavy rains and floods resulting from the current heat wave, saying government should come out with clear mitigation measures. 'At the end of the dry season will come a lot of rain with floods. Because of the evaporation on open water such as Lake Victoria, the heat is boiling water, we must be disaster prepared, rather than waiting for relief after the disaster,' Biyika said. Biyika was responding to the Statement on Weather Patterns over Uganda, presented by the Minister of Water and Environment, Hon. Beatrice Anywar, during the plenary sitting on Wednesday, 05 March 2025. The legislator, who possesses qualificatoin in environment and natural resources, observed that the long dry spell is bound to affect agriculture and eventually the economy. He asked government to consider adaptation measures for such climate change effects, proposing a firm fight against deforestation and wetland destruction which he said are on rise. Hon. Christine Kaaya (NRM, Kiboga District Woman Rep), said the citizenry deserves to be guided on the likely effects of the dry spell and demanded for a clear message from government, detailing the projected percentage loss in crop yields, livestock and the health care burden. Kalungu West MP, Hon. Joseph Ssewungu agitated for subsidies on all sources of clean energy, as a way of discouraging charcoal burning and deforestation. 'Ugandans have learnt to use gas and other sources of energy but it is expensive. Government must reduce the costs on energy if we are to preserve the environment,' said Ssewungu. The Minister reiterated that government has already entered into agreements with companies selling gas subsiding 40 percent of price of gas. 'We already have an agreement with Stabex [oil marketing company], and the current price takes into account the 40 percent subsidy from government,' said Anywar adding that, 'As a country we hope to start producing our own oil and gas soon.' Anywar explained that according to meteorology reports, the current heat wave is projected to decline at the end of March 2025 ushering in the rainy season. 'The primary cause of the high temperatures is the ongoing dry season. The period from December to February is typically dry across Uganda, with February being the hottest month of the year. Temperatures begin to rise by mid-January, reaching the peak in February, and gradually decline from early March as the March-May rainfall season begins,' she said. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.
