Let us embrace Biotechnology to save our Environment.

BY SAMUEL NABWIISO & JONAN TWINAMATSIKO 

                                                                               

 The surroundings around us are termed as ‘environment’. It is where we all meet, where all have a mutual interest; it is the one thing all of us share. The environment encompasses the interaction of all living species, climate, weather, and natural resources that affect human survival and economic activity.

 Human activity and anthropogenic impact affects the biophysical environments, biodiversity, and other resources. In the current situation, we [human beings] are using up 50% more natural resources than the earth can provide and this has resulted into the renowned  effects  of human activity on the environment which include decreased water quality, increased pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

 Depletion of natural resources has  contributed to global climate change Some of these are the direct result of human activities, whereas others are secondary effects that are part of a series of actions and reactions to over come such  environmental challenges it requires the use of technologies which are efficient and friendly to the Environment and for his case Biotechnology is the way to go.

Biotechnology has tremendous potential for unique, efficient, Eco-friendly and economically viable options for controlling environmental pollution and ensuring conservation of environment and biodiversity thereby addressing the effects of human activity on the environment.

 The term “Biotechnology” was first coined by Karl Rekey in 1991 and it literally means “the use of living systems and organisms to develop or make products, or any technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for specific use.” (UN Convention on Biological Diversity, 1992).

Environmental biotechnology which is also known as “grey biotechnology” refers to the use of microorganisms to improve the environmental quality. So far it has focused on the development of technologies to clean up the aquatic, terrestrial and aerial environment. Biotechnology therefore remains the most ideal environmental protection technology due to its multi-functional nature and its wide spread usage  and in an overview, here are some of its applications in environment protection.

As we all know that microorganisms are known natural scavengers, the microbial preparations (both natural and those genetically engineered) can be used to clean up the environmental hazards.  These living microorganisms are used through bioremediation which is a biotechnology technique used to degrade contaminants present in the soil and groundwater system.

These microorganisms degrade toxic pollutants into less toxic compounds.The main application of environmental biotechnology is the bio degradation of organic matter of municipal wastewater and bio degradation/detoxification of hazardous substances in industrial wastewater.

Unlike the expensive and tedious method of bio degradation that involves continuous supply of oxygen, use of biotechnology employs an Eco-friendly, cost-effective and efficient use of micro-algae in ponds and tanks where sewage treatment is carried out.

 

Bioreactors as a biotechnological tool, is used as equipment for biological treatment of pollutants. The emission of pollutants into the atmosphere (mostly due to industrialization) causes problems such as depletion of the ozone layer, ozone creation in the Earth's atmosphere, the greenhouse effect, photochemical reactions, and harmful impacts on humans, plants, animals and ecosystems.

 Unlike the expensive and less effective conventional methods (incineration, thermal and catalytic oxidation, surface or deep absorption, and condensation) used for chemical and physical control of gaseous pollutants, bio filters are the most ideal method under normal operating conditions of temperature and pressure for biological treatment of gaseous pollutants.

Other applications of environmental biotechnology are the prevention of pollution and restoration of water quality in reservoirs, lakes and rivers, coastal area, in aquifers of groundwater, and treatment of potable water.

The use of biosensors which literally refers to devices that use living organisms or other biological molecules, especially enzymes or antibodies, to detect the presence of chemicals also remains a great biotechnological technique for environmental protection.

Biochips and other biotechnological tools are also used to monitor the quality of the environment, prevent hazardous waste production using biotechnological analogs, develop biodegradable materials for environmental sustainability, produce fuels from biomass and organic wastes, and reduce toxicity.

The industrial use of mineral resources leads to the drastic accumulation of these pollutants in the biosphere. Bioadsorption processes are great tools which are currently being developed and involve using developed bioadsorbers made from renewable materials which function as ion exchangers to effectively perform elimination and disposal of toxic heavy metals from industrial wastewater, ore mine wastewater, seepage water from dumpsites or wastewater from nuclear power stations.

In general, whereas biotechnology is not a panacea, it is an indispensable technology and the most appropriate technology that provides cost-effective and ecofriendly approaches for not just environmental protection but also enhancing conservation of the natural beauty and protecting the great habitat of all living organisms; the earth.

For country like Uganda to benefit from such technology the country must adopt the application of Biotechnology which has huge potential to solve both Environmental and Agricultural challenges like mitigating the out brake of crop diseases which has greatly affected the production in the Agricultural sector.

 About the Authors Jonan Twinamatsiko is biotechnology student at Makerere University and Samuel Nabwiiso is Ugandan  science Journalist .

Uganda breweries commissions, a UGX20Bn Effluent Water treatment facility.

BY SAMUEL NABWIISO

Uganda breweries Limited (UBL) has commissioned a UGX 20 billion water effluent treatment plant which aims at safeguarding water resources in Lake Victoria from being contaminated by brewing effluents.

 The water   treatment plant whose construction began in 2015 filters and purifies water to portable state before it is disposed of cleaner than it was taken out. According to the managers at the brewing company this saves Lake Victoria from being contaminated with Industrial wastes of which some are contaminated with dangerous industrial chemicals from the brewing industry.

 “Uganda Breweries  highly depends  on Lake Victoria  for all  the water it uses in the production  process  its therefore Imperative  that we safeguard the water resources in the lake  for both industrial and Human usage  by establishing the water effluent treatment plant we shall limit on the amount of contaminated water which is disposed of into the lake” said UBL,s head of corporate affairs   Charity Kiyemba during the commissioning of the Environmentally friendly water treatment plant.

(L-R) Uganda Breweries Corporate Relations Sustainability and Public Policy Manager David Onyango, UBL Managing Director Mark Ocitti and KCCA Executive Director Jennifer Musisi taking a tour of the newly launched UBL Effluent treatment plant. 

Conserving natural resources is one of the core values of UBL, the beer making company on many occasions has been engaging in the restoration of depleted forest cover in the country through planting trees in various parts of the country especially in Mpigi District. UBL in partnership with National Forestry Authority Planted restored the forest cover in Navugulu Central forest reserve in Mpigi District (central Uganda) where they planted trees in the 1900 hectares forest.

Apart from restoring forest cover in the depleted government forest reserves, UBL has also engaged in  sanitation outreach programmes where the company has provided improved latrines to various communities in the country particularly in Kampala city which is sign to show that the beer company is committed to protect the country, Environment from all sorts of destruction ranging from Human activities to industrial one’s.

 UBL,s Managing Director  Mark  Ociti  told Journalist that the company has an Environmental vision which aims at reducing the amount of Industrial wastes  generated  by  2020.ociti Explained that UBL is committed to invest in all kinds of technology which will see the Beer brewing company  eliminating   all waste  to landfill  from  their production operations  by finding better  ways  to reduce  the wastes and one of them is the installation of the water effluent treatment  which  will  not only save Lake victoria waters but also supports the company to use the water resources from the lake efficiently.

 “UBL has intentionally and purposely set environmental protection in our sight s  and we  shall continue  to daily put in place mechanisms  and process  that ensure  that UBL as company maintain  green foot print  and leaves lasting  changes  for the communities” he explained.

 How the water Effluent Plant works? The water from  all sections  of the brewery  come through  all the drainages  and it  is sieved  from the course  screen  to remove particles .It goes  to the effluent  pump pit  which later  pumps  it to the retention tank .Here its collected  by the level switches  and when  the water builds up to  a certain level the switches   start automatically  pumps water  into  two retention  tanks , the equalization tank and the emergency  one .The water  then goes  to the fine screen which removes  the remaining  dirty  particles  before  it goes  to the lake or reused by the Industry.

The 20 Billion worth Water effluent plant is multipurpose one because it generates wastes which are used in the generation of power inform of biogas which is used to power the brewery.  Uganda breweries then give out the highly fertile sludge to local farmers who use it as fertilizers.

Launching the plant, Kampala capital city Authority Executive Director Jenipher  Musisi Applauded Uganda Breweries for  Investing  in the technology  which will save the country’s water resources from  being contaminated with Industrial wastes  of which some are very dangerous to the entire Ecosystem in the lake.

“This is good gesture from the brewing company by installing the system this will automatically saves Lake Victoria from being contaminated with industrial effluents  .its these wastes which  has greatly impacted on the quality of water  from Lake Victoria, a lake which is source of livelihoods for millions of population” she said.

   

We must empower people like the politicians who can create policies to cut pollution and protect our oceans and landscapes

If theUnited Nations exists on behalf of “we the peoples”, then UN Environment’s mission must be to improve those people’s lives by radically changing the way we treat this planet.

UNEP Executive Director Erik Solhein

Globally, we have enough money to support this fight. In most cases, we are not short of technical solutions, many of which could create jobs and economic growth. The only raw material we lack is political will and, sometimes, public engagement
That’s why people must always, always, be front and centre in our work to protect the planet.
We must empower people like the politicians who can create policies to cut pollution and protect our oceans and landscapes. People like the company bosses who can help us change the way the world produces and consumes. And people like the students, youth leaders and individual citizens, who can inspire important lifestyle changes in their communities.
In fact, if there is one lesson to draw from the many unexpected political developments of 2016, it’s that we need to listen to and connect directly with all of these people. We need to speak to their gut and to their heart. That means whether we’re talking to a young farmer in Kenya’s Rift Valley, a factory worker in Shanghai, a mayor in the United States, or an industrialist in Germany, we must deliver words and actions with real meaning. We must show why the environment matters to them– from the air they breathe, to the water they drink, to the way they earn a living and feed their families.
As you will see in this report, UN Environment and its partners are taking huge strides to protect our world. We are working with leaders in Malaysia to promote smart waste management and helping the people of Haiti recover from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Matthew. We are bringing political leaders together to phase down the use of hydrofluorocarbons, which could save the world from half a degree in warming. We are helping to drive the fight against the illegal trade in wildlife, which now benefits from a ban on ivory trade in China. And thanks to the “Speedo diplomacy” of our Oceans Patron, Lewis Pugh, Antarctica's Ross Sea is now a protected area.
This shows that we are already connecting with people and helping them make the transition to a greener, more sustainable world. But I know that we can – and we must – do even more.
Sometimes people ask me: can I change the world? I always tell them: Who else? Who else but you will change the world? All of humanity’s most important struggles – the anti-slavery movement, the feminist movement, the civil rights movements – they all started with a small but dedicated group of people who clung to their goals and principles in the face of fierce resistance and formidable challenges.
Change starts with you. Change starts with us. We must refuse to be daunted by the scale of the problems we face. We must take bold steps to build a better, healthier, more sustainable future for ourselves, our children and our grandchildren.

Coca-Cola Beverages Africa Uganda partners with KCCA to improve city sanitation

BY SAMUEL NABWIISo.

KAMPALA-UGANDA----Coca-Cola Beverages Africa Uganda (CCBA) has signed a memorandum of Understanding with Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) with KCCA aims at ensuring keeping Kampala City clean with no plastic wastes.

Under the MOU KCCA will gazette some places in the urban Municipalities of Nakawa and the central division where all plastic wastes will be collated before its being transported to the Plastic recycling Industry for recycling.

Coca-cola Beverages Africa Group Director of Public Affairs and Communication Norah Odwesso (L) signs MOU with KCCA executive Director Jenipher Musisi at the KCCA head office, the MOU will see the beverage company collecting and paying for all plastic wastes collected in the city.    

 Norah Odwesso, the CCBA Group Director of Public Affairs and Communications expressed gratitude for the deal with the city Authority saying it will improve the sanitation status of the city.

“As a responsible Company, we focus on constantly reducing the impact of our packaging on the environment through the light weighting of our packaging material and supporting recycling efforts this will not solve the problem of Environmental impact associated with plastic wastes  but also creates jobs to the many unemployed youth in the city” she said.

In Uganda its CCBA the  first Company to construct PET collection centers across the entire country which The pet collection centers were Launched  in 2010 the collected platic wastes were recycled at the Nakawa based Plastic Recycling Industry (PRI) previously owned by Rwenzor bottling company which was later taken over by CCBA for recycling.

Apart from working with KCCA, CCBA has also partnered with Mukono Municipality and Masaka dioceses to establish plastic collection centres where plastic wastes can be collected and transported to Kampala for recycling. 

Through these recycling efforts, the company has been able to create employment for over 1500 Ugandans, especially the urban poor. Noteworthy, 80% of these collectors are women who at least earn about $17 per week.

Speaking during the MOU signing event, the KCCA Executive Director Mrs. Jeniffer Musisi pledged to route all collected plastic waste using their trucks to the Coca-Cola Beverages Africa Plastic Recycling plant at Nakawa.

“As city Authority we are committed to work with CCBA to ensure that all plastic wastes generated in the city is disposed off scientifically to reduce the Environmental impacts associated with poor disposal mechanism such as open burning of  plastic wastes in open air” she promised.

Kampala city like other urban towns generates about 1,680 tons of plastic waste  almost on monthly basis, the wastes accumulated in the city has had environmental impact  like aiding floods in the city due to the wastes blocking the drainage channels in the five Urban Municipalities which make up of Kampala city.

The two Institutions are optimistic that if the MOU is highly supported it will have big impact on the social well faire of the urban poor. According to the statistics from the plastic recycling Industry the plant is now employing 45 permanent staff 70-100 temporary, 120 suppliers and the number is expected to rise if more collection centres are established by KCCA.

CCBA through the PRI pays Ugx 500 per kilogram of plastic wastes collected and delivered to the collecting centres unroute to the recycling plant. 

Poverty and Environment

Dear Mr. Vision did you Know that we can’t lift people out of poverty if we don’t conserve the environment and natural resources they rely on. And we can’t protect the environment if we don’t address the needs of people in poverty.

It’s the poor who depend most on natural resources for their livelihoods, and who suffer most from the impacts of climate change, deforestation, overfishing and other environmental problems. Environment and development issues can’t be separated.

   

Uganda declares 2017 year for Tourism Development

BY SAMUEL NABWIISO

Uganda’s Minister for Tourism Ephraim Kamuntu (C), Minister of state for Tourism Godfrey Kiwanda (R) and Boniface Byamukama from the Association of Uganda Tour Operators (L) hold a placard that declares 2017 a tourism year in Uganda and the year for tourism industry development.(PHOTO BY SAMUEL NABWIISO)

KAMPALA, UGANDA - Uganda’s Ministry of Tourism has stated that the year 2017 is a year for tourism sector development hence tasking its tourism promotion and conservation agencies to initiate new ideas which will drive the sector for the next four years. 

According to John Ssempebwa, the Deputy Executive Director of the Uganda Tourism Board, they have come up with new ideas especially in marketing, product development, research and quality assurance with a main of promoting the country’s tourism sector both internationally and domestically. 

“In 2017 we shall organize the Second Africa Birding Expo to showcase over 1000 species of birds seen in Uganda, an accolade which makes Uganda the only African country with most bird species,” said Ssempebwa during a press conference in Kampala.

Under marketing, UTB will focus more on tourism products where the country has more comparative advantages like birding and mountain climbing.

“By the end of 2017 all Birding and Mountain Climbing Clubs from around the world will have known Uganda’s birds and Mountains. This will be done through the birds and Mountain expos,” he said.

Other marketing strategies which the tourism promotions agency intends to rely on include continued use of International Public Relations firms, foreign mission to market the country’s Tourism potential and attending International expos. He said all these strategies, if well implemented, will bring in more visitor’s to the country.

Uganda recently contracted public relations firms to market Uganda in the United Kingdom and Germany. According to Ssempebwa, by end of 2017 the total number of visitors from the two countries is expected to increase.

“The number of tourists visiting Uganda from these countries is expected to increase by at least 35,000 this year. We shall continue to host more persons from the targeted source markets, person that we can work with to tell our stories to the world,” he said.

On domestic Tourism Marketing Uganda Tourism Board will engage in school outreach programmes where they expect to reach out to very many schools and Educational institutions to create and maintain tourism clubs while creating more. On product development, Ssempebwa promised more Tourism products such as Religious Tourism, Cultural tourism and other products. 

Uganda Wildlife Authority officials, Uganda’s top conservation body, said they have put in place infrastructures that support the development of Tourism industry in 2017. Charles Tumwesigye Director Conservation at UWA said they plan to construct more accommodation facilities in National parks by expanding the accommodation capacity in Kidepo National Park, Lake Mburo and Murchison Falls National Park.

“UWA has given concessions to four private developers to put accommodation facilities in Kidepo Valley and Lake Mburo National Park.

The concession process for accommodation facilities in Murchison falls and Queen Elizabeth National parks is in advanced procurement stage. These initiatives will increase affordable accommodation in the parks which is still big challenge currently,” said Tumwesigye. On easing Transport to support domestic Tourism UWA plans to procure five Tourism buses which will be dedicated to taking tourists to the national parks of Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth and others. Tumwesigye said Transport is still a big challenge affecting the development of Domestic tourism in the country.  

Declaring 2017 as year for Tourism Development the Minister of Tourism Ephraim Kamuntu said the Ministry is committed to support all Initiatives that are developed with the Intention of driving the sector. 

Kamuntu said the tourism sector is among the 23 sectors which the president wants to be promoted because of its capacity to create more jobs in the Economy. 

Uganda was recently recognized by Rough Guides a leading travel publisher in the UK as the country being globe and number 1 in Africa as among the top ten leading destinations to be visited in 2017. The country also in2012 was named top tourism destination by lonely planet with Kidepo Valley National Game Park as one of the best wild places 

Caption: Uganda’s Ministers of Tourism Ephraim Kamuntu (M), Godfrey Kiwanda Minister of state for Tourism (R) and Boniface Byamukama (L) from the Association of Uganda Tour Operators hold a placard that declares 2017 a tourism year in Uganda and as the year for tourism industry development.

EU wants EAC to invest more in solar

BY SAMUEL NABWIISO

Minister Simon D,Ujanga together with Soroti Municipality Member of Parliament Ariko Herbert cutting the ribbon at the commissioning of the 10MW Soroti solar power plant(photo by samuel nabwiiso).

SOROTI, UGANDA - East African states have been asked to invest more resources in the development of renewable power projects like solar energy where the region has a better comparative advantage as compared to Hydropower which is more expensive to finance.

Development partners say the climate conditions in some countries within the community such as Uganda supports the development of solar power but the country has not yet exploited such opportunities which have kept Uganda depending too much on Hydropower and biomass as sources of Energy. 

 Speaking during the commissioning of the US$ 19 million solar photovoltaic project in Soroti, Eastern Uganda, the Head of European Union delegation in Uganda Ambassador Kristain Schmidt said Uganda is conducive for solar power development because of the climatic conditions and the regulatory framework.

 “Uganda is a good place to invest in solar energy. The regulatory framework is conducive and the government rightly recognizes Uganda’s energy future must be renewable. 

It is great that this is now triggering private sector interest in solar power generation the government should continue attracting more investors to invest in solar power generation in the country because Uganda has many sites where the major plants can be established to generate more renewable energy,” Schmidt said.

 The Soroti Solar Power Plant is considered as the biggest solar power plant in the region. It is made up of 32,680 photovoltaic panels and generates 10 megawatts of power. 

It is the first facility to be connected to the national grid, which is expected to supply low carbon electricity to over 40,000 homes and business in the area.

This is according to experts from Access Uganda Solar Limited, a joint company between EREN RE and Access power which owns the Soroti plant. Commissioning the plant, Uganda’s Minister of state for Energy Eng. Simon D’Ujanga said the government will continue working with the private sector with the support from the development partners to diversify the country’s power sector.

“The strong collaboration which the government has been having with development partners and private sector has supported the government to embark on the construction of Mega Hydro power project such as Bujagali and the ongoing power projects such as Karuma and Isimba which is about to commence. As government we are going to borrow the same model for solar power,” said D’ Ujanga.

The 10 megawatts plant was developed under the Global Energy Transfer Feed in Tariff (GET Fit) a dedicated support scheme for renewable energy projects managed by the Germanys, KfW Development Bank in Partnership with Uganda’s Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) and funded by governments of Norway Germany, the United Kingdom and the European Union. 

GET Fit’s objective is to help to make renewable energy sources more affordable and therefore more accessible in the Eastern African block. In Uganda, the programme is to support and overcome investment barriers for private developers of small – scale (1-20 MW) renewable energy projects. The programme will enable the realization of 17 projects with targeted total installed capacity of roughly 170 MW.

Once all the projects supported under GET Fit start generating electricity, they will improve security of power supply and increase generation capacity in Uganda by about 20% and thus help to add much needed low cost and clean generation to the Ugandan energy mix and also seeing more than 1.2 million Ugandan getting connected with electric power. Apart from improving power security, the GET Fit program will also support the country to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide by about 11 million tons thus helping the country to pursues acclimate resilient low carbon development path.

 David Corchia the Chief Executive officer EREN RE revealed that they are committed to develop other power projects in Uganda and replicate the same to other African states provided the Business Environment remains conducive to them.

“We wish to express our gratitude and thanks to the organizations and individuals who made the construction of the largest solar power in East Africa possible. As a global renewable energy independent  power producers, we take this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the African power sector and we look forward to replicating this model in other districts in Uganda and even in many other African countries,” he promised.