Uganda in panic after Kenya enforced total ban on kaveera
Bb Benjamin Jumbe
The government of Uganda will soon come up with a final position on the ban on plastic carrier bags commonly known as Kaveera.
In the 2009/2010 budget, government announced a total ban on all polythene material below 30 microns as an environmental protection measure but full implementation is yet to be achieved due to resistance from various players including the manufacturers.
Speaking to KFM, environment minister Sam Cheptoris says he has been tasked to present a fresh paper to cabinet to enable review of the matter within one month.
He expresses confidence that all obstacles will be dealt with to enable full implementation of the ban soon.
This comes as a ban on plastic carrier bags comes into full force in neighboring Kenya today.
Currently Kenyans are estimated to use 24 million bags a month but maufacturers or anyone found selling or carrying them could face fines of up to the equivalent of UGX 133m or prison sentences of up to four years.
The government says the ban will help protect the environment,but manufacturers claim that 80,000 jobs could be lost.
A number of other African countries have outlawed plastic carrier bags, including South Africa, Rwanda and Eritrea.
