The minister of environment Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu has this morning opened a public dialogue of national environment management authority NEMA at imperial royale hotel in Kampala.
According to Prof. Kamuntu, 56% of Uganda’s GDP depends directly on the environment.
Kamuntu adds that protecting Natural Resources is a moral issue as much as an economic issue, arguing that as the population grows; the pressure on fragile ecosystems is increasing.
Minister Kamuntu says that the authority and his ministry need to streamline public sensitization such that there is voluntary compliance.
“We have to evict 7000 encroachers in 3 districts. That is a huge challenge for NEMA” Prof. Kamuntu said.
He advises that in enforcement, everyone should be vigilant, as environment management is a collective responsibility.
NEMA Executive Director Dr. Tom Okurut, says the Public has a Constitutional Mandate to create and protect a clean and healthy environment.
He says, "Environmental Management Starts from home, we are all accountable for the environment.”