Air Pollution

Uganda’s main sources of air pollution are vehicle emissions, industrial activities, biomass burning, and dust from unpaved roads. Uganda’s air quality has greatly improved over the years with mean average PM₂.₅ of 35 µg/m³  PM2.5 which is consider health although it still lies above World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines.

Uganda has introduced a mix of regulatory, infrastructural, and community-based measures to reduce pollution across transport, industry, biomass use, dust, and waste management.

These efforts are coordinated mainly by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Ministry of Water and Environment, and local governments.

Transport Emissions

Vehicle emission standards: Uganda enforces restrictions on importation of very old vehicles to reduce high-emission cars.

Promotion of public transport: Expansion of bus rapid transit and encouragement of non-motorized transport (cycling, walking).

Fuel quality improvements: Adoption of cleaner fuels and reduction of sulfur content in diesel.

Periodic vehicle inspection: Mandatory checks to ensure roadworthiness and emission compliance.

Industrial Activities

• Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs): Industries must conduct EIAs before operations to minimise pollution.
• Emission controls: Installation of filters and scrubbers in factories to reduce particulate and gas emissions.
• Licensing and monitoring: NEMA issues permits and monitors compliance with pollution control laws.
• Cleaner production initiatives: Encouragement of energy-efficient technologies and waste minimisation.
• Dust suppression: Cement factories required to install dust collectors and bag filters.
• Kiln improvements: Encouraging modern, efficient kilns that use less fuel and emit fewer particulates.

Biomass Burning

• Improved cookstoves: Distribution of energy-efficient stoves to households to cut smoke emissions.
• Promotion of LPG and electricity: Government incentives for cleaner cooking fuels to reduce reliance on charcoal and firewood.
• Ban on crop residue burning: Enforcement of laws against open-field burning of agricultural waste.

Dust & Road Conditions

• Road paving programs: Expansion of tarmacked roads to reduce dust from unpaved surfaces.
• Water spraying: Local governments use water trucks to suppress dust in construction zones.
• Urban greening: Planting trees and vegetation along roads to trap dust particles.
• Construction regulations: Requiring contractors to implement dust control measures.

Open Waste Burning

• Waste management laws: Uganda prohibits open burning of plastics and hazardous waste.
• Improved collection systems: Expansion of municipal solid waste collection and disposal services.
• Recycling initiatives: Promotion of plastic recycling and composting of organic waste.
• Community sensitization: Public awareness campaigns against burning refuse and encouragement of proper disposal.

Uganda’s air quality has improved from annual mean average PM₂.₅ from 35 µg/m³ in 2019 to 13 µg/m³ in 2025 which is classified by WHO as good.

The current air quality average annual mean for Africa is 44 µg/m³ of PM₂.₅  with the highest being 80 µg/m³.

In Summary: Uganda’s measures include stricter vehicle standards, industrial emission controls, modernized brick kilns, cleaner cooking fuels, dust suppression, and bans on open waste burning. These policies aim to reduce PM2.5 and toxic emissions, protect public health, and align with sustainable development goals.