Uganda’s Manufacturers Commit to Conserving the Environment

On 25^th July 2024, the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) launched the Green Industry Agenda 2025/26 -2035/36. The purpose of the Agenda is to promote the adoption, implementation, access and inclusion of green manufacturing strategies and technologies for sustainable industrial growth in Uganda. 

Since the industrial revolution, human activities have had a significant negative impact on the environment. These activities have contributed to the deterioration of our natural environment.  Pollution remains a huge threat to the environment and human life. Uncontrolled industrial activities pose a threat to human life, animal life and biodiversity. 

The launch of this Agenda is testament that the manufacturing sector is committed to conserving the environment and attaining sustainability, not just as a goal but as the very essence its success. Green growth is not a mere trend, it a worldwide strategy that is driven by the urgent need to mitigate environmental degradation and climate change.  Therefore, industrialists have a pivotal role to play in shaping this transition.

The Agenda is guided by the following principles;  

1. Sustainable industrial development, 

2. Alignment with the nationally determined contributions,  

3. Alignment to national greening objectives and priorities,

4. Environmental sustainability and ecosystem protection,

5. Regional and international green partnerships/cooperations,

6. Green Innovations for transformation of manufacturing,

7. Circular economy and reeling of waste materials,

8. Cleaner and responsible product, and 

9. Industrial symbiosis and partnerships for the implementation of the green industry agenda.

The Agenda is premised on six pillars which will be instrumental in promoting green manufacturing practices, strategies and activities within the sector. These are:

1. Environmental Conservation (Mitigation and Adaptation) - This pillar aims at promoting linkages between environmental conservation and manufacturing including the value chain activities. It further aims to preserve and improve the forestry cover in and around the surroundings of the industries. It also focuses on raising awareness / sensitization of its members, their workers and communities.

2. Green Energy and Energy Transition – This aims to promote the transition of the industrial sector from the current use of unclean energy sources to sustainable and renewable energy sources. The purpose is to encourage industrialists to focus on the use of renewable energy and gradually shift away from unclean solutions like biomass usage in the manufacturing processes especially within the tea, steel, sugar and coffee sectors.

3. Green Self-Regulation Practices - This pillar emphasises the need for industrialists to put in place mechanisms that allow them regulate themselves. In other words, following the accepted practices of doing business that observe conservation of the environment. For example, one of the strategic activities citied is the development and implementation of an industry–wide packaging extended producer responsibility organisation which is starting with the beverage sector. Plans are underway spearheaded by leading beverage member companies to set up a PET Extended Producer Responsibility Organisation. Another four organisations are planned for other waste streams as set out in the Agenda.

   Therefore, it will be imperative for the sector to develop mechanisms and practices to ensure compliance with industry approved practices coupled with setting sector codes to guide the practice of the green industry.

4. Industrial and Consumer Waste Management - Industrial waste is described as material considered to be unwanted after the manufacturing process. On the other hand, consumer waste is solid waste discharged from everyday life. Here the industrialists are aiming at putting in place strategies that will reduce the waste, better management of waste by reuse of the same or recycle it for other use. Perhaps even work at using this waste to generate energy for these industries. 

5. Capacity Building & Awareness Creation on Green Agenda – This pillar aims to raise awareness about protection of the environment and the need to take immediate action against the harmful effects of climate change.     
   The key targets under this pillar are;

   1. Building a centre for green growth at UMA to promote green manufacturing and capacity building.

   2. Conducting capacity building on full energy / carbon management programme and how the application of carbon credits, carbon capture and storage mechanisms could apply to the members.

   3. Designing and launching a course on waste management to drive education on the industrial–centered waste management strategy practices.     

6. Green Research, Innovations, Policy and Advocacy - This pillar focuses on initiatives aimed at improving green research, innovations, policy and advocacy. It aims to develop collaborations with development partners. Some of the key thematic strategic activities of focus are implementation of green energy transition mechanisms, advancement of green policy and advocacy.

In conclusion, manufacturers/ industrialists’ actions have a huge impact on the environment. The Industrialists ought to adopt the Agenda and fully support its implementation in order for its aims to be realised. This being new, organisational capacity building will be paramount coupled with development of strategic partnerships with national and international agencies for support. UMA having committed to responsible business conduct in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Agenda is yet another step in the right direction. 

The full text of the Agenda can be found at https://uma.or.ug/reports/