E-Waste Management in Uganda

1. ITU Regional Standardization Forum for Africa (Kampala, Uganda, 23-25 June 2014) E-Waste Management in Uganda Michael Ocero, Acting Commissioner – IT Dept. Ministry of ICT michael.ocero@ict.go.ug

2. Background • Government of Uganda identified Information and Communications Technology (ICT) as an enabling factor for the socio-economic development of the country • ICT adoption leads to increased use of ICT electric and electronic equipment which gradually reaches end of life

3. Background • Electronic or Electrical equipment that reaches its end of life is referred to as e-waste • Poor handling of e-waste can lead to hazards that affect human health and the environment • Hence, the need to have in place an appropriate e-waste management policy to address the challenges it poses to both humans and the environment

4. Current Situation • In the last decade, the Government of Uganda waived import tax on computers, software and related equipment. This has led to proliferation of electronic equipment

5. Current Situation • A study on e-waste in Uganda by UNIDO indicated that, Government owns the highest number of ICT equipment in the country followed by NGOs at ~75%, large enterprises at ~20%, private households, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and others at ~5%

6. Current Situation • Individual Government Institutions do not dispose of obsolete ICT equipment in a well planned and managed manner. The same applies to the private sector and households. Equipment is damped on outdoor garbage heaps and landfills • There is shortage of qualified manpower to handle the safe processing and/or disposal of e-waste in Uganda

7. Current Situation • Uganda as a country does not have any e-waste handling facility. • There is limited e-waste awareness in the among the population. • The National Bureau of Standards does not have specific standards addressing e-waste.

8. Policy Guidance • Convention on the Control of Trans-boundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal; • Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutant; • World Charter for Nature 1982; and • Vienna Convention for the Protection of the O-zone layer 1985.

9. E-waste Management Policy objectives • Providing for establishment of e-waste management facilities in the country; • Mobilizing and sensitizing the Government, private sector and the communities on the proper management and handling of e-waste; • Providing specific e-waste regulation (legal and regulatory); • Developing a critical human resource base knowledgeable in handling e-waste;

10. E-waste Management Policy objectives • Providing for resource mobilization for efficient management of e-waste; • Providing guidance on the standards of electronic equipment that is imported; • Establishing incentives for encouraging both local and foreign investors to establish e-waste facilities in Uganda; and

11. E-waste Management Policy objectives • In order to ensure sustainability of national collection facilities, a fund will be set up that will be collected from both the sellers and buyers of electronic equipment.

12. Challenges • Rapid increasing use if ICT equipment; • Lack of current estimates on quantity of e-waste generated and recycled; • Low level of awareness; • Lack of standards; a • Lack of dismantling, collection and handling facilities; and

13. Challenges • Gaps in existing legislation • Existing e-waste handling and disposal practices are largely informal.

14. Proposed Interventions • To set up an e–waste coordinator to supervise and address all management issues for smooth implementation of the e-waste strategy; • To review and update the legal and institutional framework for e-waste management and support enforcement of laws, regulations and standards;

15. Proposed Interventions • To raise awareness and advocate for e-waste management across all stakeholders and general public; • To carry out baseline surveys to inform e-waste interventions; • To maintain statistical records of imported Electronic and Electrical Equipment (EEE); • To mainstream e-waste issues in all MDAs and the private sector;

16. Proposed Interventions • To invest in e-waste handling and disposal infrastructure; • To mobilize human, financial, and technical resources for e-waste management; • To set up and operationalise an e-waste fund;

17. Proposed Interventions • To invest in e-waste handling and disposal infrastructure; • To mobilize human, financial, and technical resources for e-waste management; and • To set up and operationalise an e-waste fund.

18. Strategy Action Areas

19. Setting up Coordination function • Set-up a coordination function at the MoICT for all e-waste related initiatives; • Undertake e-waste value chain analysis; • Engage with stakeholders in Government and Private sector; & • Develop a participatory monitoring and evaluation framework.

20. Strengthening Legal Framework • Review existing laws to cater for e-waste related areas; • Develop, disseminate and enforce standards for ICT equipment; • Develop and disseminate standards on localized Ugandan EEE standards; • Engage WTO member states on Ugandan EEE standards; & • Regulate activities of e-waste collectors and dismantling facilities.

21. E-waste Awareness • Stakeholder Mapping in order to determine awareness; • Develop and e-waste communication strategy; • Undertake e-waste awareness campaigns; • Engage ICT producers and ICT system operators to participate in awareness; & • Mainstream e-waste issues in educational curriculum at various levels.

22. Investment in E-waste Infrastructure • Establish regional e-waste collection centers; • Promote take-back schemes; • Set up national dismantling facilities; • Explore options for hazardous e-waste components; & • Facilitate and incentivize registration and formalization of e-waste collectors and transporters.