KAMPALA: Kampala City has launched a deliberate effort to address its air quality challenges as it commemorates Air Quality Awareness Week under the theme “I Pledge.”
The project attempts to encourage organizations and individuals to take action to reverse the city’s worrisome trend of air pollution.
During the official unveiling at Media Centre on Monday, May 6, 2024, Engineer David Luyimbazi, Deputy Executive Director of the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), who represented the organization underscored the KCCA’s focus on raising awareness about air quality issues and pushing people to take action to fix them.
As a rapidly growing city, this air quality awareness week provides us an opportunity for our people to learn about the sources of air pollution and how to respond to events with air pollution,” Luyimbazi remarked.
One of KCCA’s (Kampala City) notable actions is the installation of 25 air quality monitors across the city, providing evidence-based data on the extent of air pollution. The city boasts of over 100 such monitors, marking a significant stride in evidence-guided air quality management.
“We are harnessing technology to combat air pollution,” Luyimbazi added. Furthermore, KCCA created Kampala’s first Clean Air Action Plan, which outlines strategic pollution-reduction efforts and according to the Deputy ED, plans are also underway to expand air quality monitoring to previously unmonitored locations, demonstrating a holistic approach to addressing the issue.
In addition to monitoring and planning, Luyimbazi said that KCCA has prioritized infrastructure construction for active transportation, including as bike lanes, to promote not just cleaner air but also healthier lives for citizens.
“Our teams have organized cycling days to raise awareness, and we continue to improve our road network to accommodate active transport,” Luyimbazi highlighted.
Despite these admirable efforts, pollution levels continue to surpass WHO recommendations by about five times, Luyimbazi said this calls for the continued need for concerted action and a long-term commitment to improving Kampala’s air quality and encouraging the public to play their part.
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According to a recent report from National Environmental and Management Authority (NEMA), air pollution is claiming people annually in Uganda. During the event, NEMA ED, Dr. Barirega Akankwasah warned the public against destroying the environment.
In Uganda, comprised air quality increases disease burden with close to 31,600 people dying from air pollution-related diseases annually, especially in urban areas starting with Kampala. This is a staggering number, it’s time we take action to address this silent killer,” he said.
As Air Quality Awareness Week unfolds, stakeholders are invited to declare their support and take proactive efforts towards a cleaner and healthier atmosphere for all citizens.
