By Kabuye Ronald
As Uganda joins the rest of the world today to commemorate World Environment day under the theme beating plastic pollution, civil societies organisations, Environment Shield and Juakali Initiative have urged government to recognize informal workers’ efforts who include: hawkers, home based workers, street vendors and waste pickers among others in protecting the environment by giving them the necessary support.
The Environment Shield, Chief Executive Officer Eron Kiiza says that informal workers do a great job in protecting the environment more so in fighting plastic pollution and thus government should mobilize them more, increase their awareness and fund their activities including their environment protection activities as opposed to harassing and criminalizing them so that they safely do their trade and meaningful contribute to the economy of the country.
Kiiza also appealed to the general public to join the fight against environment pollution in order to save the universe.
“The earth is our only home and it’s being threatened by the climate emergency, biodiversity loss and pollution including the plastic pollution which is the focus of today’s environment day. We need to wake up and join efforts as civil societies, companies, private sectors, government, formal and informal sectors and individuals to give a more robust response in environmental protection so that the world doesn’t end because of global warming, biodiversity loss and all kinds of environment pollutiom.” Said Kiiza
Sopia Nabbosa, the executive director for Juakali Initiative said that if informal workers are efficiently and meaningful involved and supported in the secular economy, they will greatly help in conserving the environment and immensely contribute to the economy by reorienting, recycling and reuse of the plastics which are disposed of poorly.
“If we involve informal workers in the fight to conserve our environment especially in the fight against plastic pollution we shall be create many employment opportunities, foster innovation and also manage waste” said Nabbosa
Akankwasa Jumah, the chairperson of street vendors and hawkers in Kampala central and Sarah Nabandiweera a street vendor who also makes hand crafts that include bags, door mats, table mats, and baskets using plastic strokes exhibited commitment to working with everyone to have a safe environment.
