The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has announced that effective April 1, 2023, they will in addition to existing criminal prosecution measures; commence an administrative penalty scheme for environmental breaches.
The express penalty scheme is intended to deter non-compliance with environmental laws and prevent environmental degradation through the payment of monetary penalties (fines).
Under the Express Penalty Scheme, the offender will be required to pay a fine within the prescribed time frame and in a specific bank account.
The notice will specify the date and nature of the alleged contravention, a summary of the facts that NEMA or authorized officer alleges, and the amount payable.
Among the breaches, leaving rubbish outside residential premises will attract a maximum fine of up to Shs6,000,000.
Similarly, depositing rubbish/waste on a roadside, river, stream, lake, pond, canal or channel attracts a maximum fine of up to Shs6,000,000.
The breaches also include management of plastics where importing, exporting, manufacturing, using or reusing plastic carrier bags or plastic products made of polymers of ethane (polythene) and propylene that are below 30 microns will attract a fine of up to Shs100,000,000.
Destroying, damaging, or disturbing a wetland in a manner that has or is likely to have an adverse effect on any plant or animal attracts a fine of up to Shs3,000,000.
