By: Ismael Kasooha

UAE  

Investors from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have promised to partner with the Government of Uganda to process garbage into valuable products like clean energy, fertilizers and fuel.

The promise was made when the Prime Minister of Uganda Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja had visited the garbage processing plant at Sharjah Emirates in the United Arab Emirates.

During her guided tour of the project, the Prime Minister was informed that the plant treats about 1000 tonnes of garbage daily which translates into 30 megawatts of clean energy enough to power 28,000 households.

The Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja being shown how the garbage processing plant works at Sharja in UAE

“The garbage we have here helps us in generating power and also produces other valuable items. Garbage should not be seen as a burden but rather a resource,” said Fahim Sultan Al Qasim, the Executive Chairman Department of Government relations in UAE.

Fahim commiserated with families that lost their dear ones during Kiteezi landfill collapse where at least 35 people lost their lives and property worth millions of shillings destroyed.

“We send our condolences to all those that lost their dear ones in that unfortunate incident, we assure you that we will do whatever it takes to provide the best services and the technology to Ugandans,” said Fahim.

During their interaction with the Ugandan team, the Arab investor promised to partner with the Government of Uganda to process garbage into valuable products like electricity, Fertilizers, fuel pavers among others.

“We are excited to explore how we can partner and we want to make garbage commercially attractive to the government,” said Fahim.

The Prime Minister was on an official visit to UAE representing President Yoweri Museveni at the 3rd UAE – Uganda business forum.

Nabbanja was accompanied by the State Minister for Regional Cooperation John Mulimba, Uganda’s Ambassador to UAE Zaake Wanume Kibedi and KCCA Acting Executive Director Frank Nyakana Rusa.

Nabbanja said, the Government of Uganda is in the process of using the best technology to work on Uganda’s garbage.

The Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja (in Yellow) with UAE officials and Ugandan Delegation at Sharjah garbage management plant

“Our garbage is mostly organic because of the food we eat, so it is easy to manage using such technology.  So, when we get partners like you it becomes very important to work swiftly to actualize the plans,” said Nabbanja.

Frank Nyakana Rusa, the Ag. KCCA Executive Director said that scientists have advised on how best to handle garbage to avoid a recurrence of the past.

“We have been warned by scientists that keeping the garbage for many years is risky because methane keeps on building and it can turn into a volcano,” said Nyakana.

He said KCCA is in the process of decommissioning Kiteezi and relocating the affected communities to safer areas.

Before the end of this year 2024, the Arab Investors are expected to come to Uganda to start on the process to turn garbage in various cities into valuable products.

The Prime Minister reminded the investors to consider investing into other valuable products like food processing because Uganda is an agricultural country endowed with plenty of food.

End