MBALE, Uganda — The Chinese-run Sino-Uganda Mbale Industrial Park has invested approximately $2.5 million in advanced water treatment systems, a move officials say is significantly combating water pollution and transforming the park’s environmental footprint.

The substantial investment aims to ensure industrial wastewater is treated and reused, mitigating its impact on surrounding communities and local water bodies.

Dan Akampulira, Head of the Health, Safety & Environment department at Tian Tang Group, which operates the park, detailed the scale of the commitment.

“So far, we’ve invested approximately $2.5 million specifically into this water treatment system,” Akampulira stated. “Our goal is that in a few years, all wastewater generated within this park will be treated and reused internally, with no discharge outside. We even aim to treat and reuse wastewater from the neighboring community in the future.”

Akampulira elaborated on the park’s wastewater management, explaining that all water generated from production processes undergoes rigorous treatment. One of the facilities erected at Nile Texttiles, a component of the park boasts over seven treatment tanks, each with a capacity of at least 2 million liters, collectively capable of treating over 14 million liters of water. “Within approximately three days, the water is fully treated and then re-used back in the factory for production and other purposes,” he said, emphasizing that most water is either treated before discharge or recycled for internal use.

Mbale City Senior Public Relations Officer James Kutosi praised the park’s evolution. “Initially, there were a number of issues between the park and the community, particularly regarding environmental concerns,” Kutosi said. “However, over time, especially following the floods that occurred, there have been substantial developments within the industrial park. Environmental concerns have been addressed so thoroughly that we now view the park not as a problem, but rather as a solution for our communities.” Kutosi also highlighted the park’s alignment with global sustainability goals, including SDGs 12 and 13, which address responsible consumption, production, and climate action.

Jacob Wataka, a local Council One Chairperson for Nsambya Cell in the Industrial City Division of Mbale City, affirmed the positive environmental changes.

“We haven’t experienced any significant environmental issues, particularly within the Sino-Uganda Mbale Industrial Park,” Wataka noted. He credited the park management’s “proactive measures to prevent environmental degradation, such as digging proper water channels and establishing a green belt.”

Wataka also reported a lack of air pollution, attributing it to the factories’ “high-level technology machines that minimize emissions.”

Abdallah Hasango , the Labour Officer for the Industrial City Division of Mbale City, corroborated the improvements from an occupational safety and health (OSH) perspective. “Based on our ongoing inspections and movements — including recent visits with the environmental officer — we have observed significant improvements,” Hasango stated. He noted that the entire water cycle within the park, from source to treatment and reuse, is now visible and effective, ensuring no negative impact on the community. “Initially, when operations began, there were environmental challenges. However, the situation has dramatically improved,” Hasango confirmed, adding that community complaints have significantly decreased.

Beyond water treatment, the park also implements comprehensive solid waste management, including segregation and disposal by licensed handlers.

Textile factory off-cuts are repurposed into new products, and industrial chemical waste is managed through dedicated sumps.

Akampulira stressed the importance of daily awareness and training campaigns for both workers and management to reinforce environmental best practices.

Sino Uganda-Mbale Industrial Park produces a variety of goods including Steel, glass, textiles, household detergents, mobile phones, smart televisions, baby diapers, clothes, LED bulbs, tubes, electric meters and stockings.

The factory employs over 15000 Ugandans

Kabale District was selected to host this year’s national World Environment Day celebrations, set to take place on June 5th.

The annual commemoration of World Environment Day, organized by the United Nations, focuses on raising global awareness and encouraging action for the environment. The 2025 national theme is “United Against Plastic Pollution”, which underscores the urgent need to address the growing problem of plastic waste. The theme calls on all sectors—policymakers, manufacturers, and local communities—to unite and take collective action against plastic pollution.

Research conducted by NEMA reveals that a staggering 8.3 billion tons of plastic have been produced globally to date, generating 6.3 billion tons of plastic waste. Alarmingly, only 9% of this waste is recycled, with 12% incinerated and 79% accumulating in landfills. If current trends continue, it is estimated that over 12 billion tons of plastic waste will remain in the environment or landfills by 2050. In Uganda alone, approximately 600 metric tons of plastic waste are generated daily, with Kampala city alone accounting for 180 metric tons of this waste. However, the Kampala Capital City Authority collects only about 30% of this waste, contributing to severe environmental pollution. Other urban and semi-urban areas across the country face similar challenges.

Tony Achidria, Senior Environment Awareness Officer at NEMA, highlighted the adverse impacts of plastic pollution on human health, the environment, and Uganda’s blue economy, particularly in agricultural and aquatic sectors such as fishing. Achidria also pointed out the unsustainable plastic disposal methods in Uganda, including open burning, indiscriminate dumping, and burial. Open burning, in particular, contributes to air pollution, which is responsible for over 1.2 million deaths annually in Africa.

Globally, plastic production continues to rise, with over 430 million tons of plastic produced each year, two-thirds of which consist of short-lived products that quickly become waste, entering the oceans and ultimately the human food chain.

World Environment Day, established by the United Nations Conference in Stockholm in 1972, is the UN’s principal tool for promoting environmental awareness and action. It is observed annually on June 5th in over 150 countries. Member states take this opportunity to reflect on their environmental protection efforts and reaffirm their commitment to sustainable management of natural resources.

This year, the Republic of Korea will host the international celebrations of World Environment Day 2025, focusing on ending plastic pollution. The event will take place in Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, which has been a leader in Korea’s efforts to combat plastic pollution. Jeju has introduced the country’s first disposable cup deposit system and has set an ambitious goal to become free of plastic pollution by 2040.

World Environment Day 2025 will serve as a crucial platform for raising awareness and galvanizing global efforts to combat the growing threat of plastic pollution.