On the road, occupants of a black SUV shamelessly hurled trash through their window and sped off, perhaps, playing Amapiano and eating leftover KFC. They didn’t have the patience to reach their destination and dispose of the Kasasiro in the dustbin. No. They thought it wise to use the road as the final resting place for their leftover takeaway. Now, I know the roads are already bad, but hell, let’s not make the situation worse.

Yesterday, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) Executive Director, Mr. Barirega Akankwasa, said the Authority will work with traffic police to ensure that those driving heed to the environmental regulations. Every car should have a dustbin. Motorists will be fined 6M if caught driving without a dustbin. This will commence on 1st April (please, this isn’t a Fool’s Day prank). Don’t be fooled.

The express penalty scheme, introduced by NEMA, is intended to deter non-compliance to environment laws and, in the long run, to prevent environment degradation. 

“The National Environment Management Authority hereby informs the general public that this will be effected from April 1. We shall, in addition to the existing criminal prosecution measure, commence an administrative penalty scheme for environment breaches in line with section  174 of the National Environment Act, No.5 of 2019,” Mr. Barirega said in a statement issued by NEMA. 

Well, some people might argue that the punishment might be harsh to an already impoverished population, but I think it’s a step in the right direction. This vice should be curbed. It drags us back to the medieval ages where we were uncultured and uninformed about the dangers of throwing trash ‘fwaaah’ where we deem fine. 

Folks, buckle up for a ‘trashy’ road ahead.