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In commemorating World Environment Day 2018, Refugee Law Project organised a Television Talkshow at NBS Morning Breeze show to discuss issues of refugees and environmental protection.

With a representative from Government (Ministry of Water and Environment), the talkshow discussed matters relating to plastic pollution in the country and general environmental issues affecting the country, as well as one of the problematic issues confronting the existence of planet earth. Specifically, the talkshow attempted to answer the following questions;

• Prior to refugees being settled in an area, are there any environmental impact assessments conducted? How often are these assessments conducted after refugees are settled? And what role that the Ministry of Water and Environment play in those impact assessments?
• Who is responsible for enforcing regulations of the National Environmental Act? How effective are those enforcements and regulations? and What level of support is the Ministry offering to assist in the enforcement of the regulations?
• What is the status of the Climate Change Bill? Whereas there is demonstrated interest in the bill, its yet to be passed. What has led to the delay in passing the bill? Could there be political apathy or general lack of momentum?
• In relation to the 2018 theme “Beat plastic pollution”, A 2012 ruling from the High Court of Uganda stated that the manufacture, use, distribution, and improper disposal of “kaveera” undermines the constitutional rights of Ugandan citizens. Why does “kaveera” remain ubiquitous in Uganda?
• How is government currently addressing plastic pollution? How about the role of civil society and the general population?
• Whereas the President banned the cutting on Beyo– Afzelia Africana (which is on the list of endangered tree species and was very common in the districts of Lamwo, Gulu & Adjumani), the cutting still continues. Where is the problem? And who is responsible?
• Charcoal production remains the biggest contributor to deforestation. What is government’s position on it?
• What challenges is government facing in enforcing environmental protection?