E Waste Management – Uganda’s Journey Forum on Environmentally Sound Management of E-waste in Latin America Montevideo, Uruguay: 12 March, 2014 Smart Sustainable Cities - 2014 E Waste Management – Uganda’s Journey Dickson Kwesiga Uganda Communications Commission

Current Status The E-Waste Challenge Knowledge, Attitudes & Perceptions Policy and Legal Framework Current Practices Regulation at entry points Regional Collaboration E-Waste Challenge – Backlog, Phone Subscriber base growing, accurate information, economic viability of recycling, Knowledge, Attitudes, Perceptions – Informal Sector, Awareness, Sentimental attachments Policy & Legal Framework – Policy Existing, Regulations, Standards & Guidelines missing from point of entry to end of life Current Practices – Gap in legislative structure, low awareness, high demand for second hand/used EEE, selling to individual collectors has led to the growth of an informal sector: Limited investments in infrastructure: Regulation at entry points – PVoC to standards for various EEEs regulated, INTERTEK

Current Practices

Existing Facilities Various Informal Recyclers Uganda Cleaner Production Center East African Compliant Recycling Facility (Nairobi) WEEE Center (Nairobi, Kenya) The E-waste Solutions Alliance for Africa (UK) – Pilot Project UCPC - UNIDO and Microsoft

Subscriber Trends

Key Challenges in Uganda Rapidly increasing e-waste volumes Limited studies about quantities of e-waste Low level of awareness (& poor perceptions) among consumers E-waste workers have little or no knowledge of toxins in e-waste

Policy Strategies Establishment of E-waste Management Infrastructure Awareness and Education Legal Framework Human Resource Development Resource Mobilization E-Waste Fund

Investments in Infrastructure Carry out ongoing e-waste surveys and assessment of mass flows to inform e-waste management interventions To establish and maintain a data base for imported and exported EEE Initiate and implement pilot projects, for collection, recycling and treatment of e-waste Facilitate formation of e-waste collection schemes through formalization, licensing & setting targets for each scheme Provide training for e-waste scheme operators Promote take- back systems with incentives for consumers Promote EEE leasing for bulk consumers

Investments in Infrastructure Set up national modern dismantling and recovery facility in partnership with the private sector Mainstream training in e-waste recovery and dismantling skills in technical institutions curriculum Explore options for disposal of hazardous e-waste components, through treatment or sale to competent firms Engage EEE producers and original equipment manufacturers (OEM) in strategic partnerships, including buy back systems, extended producer responsibility and setting up recovery and dismantling facilities. Participate in regional and international fora on best e-waste management practices

Ongoing Policy Implementation Feasibility study to establish volumes of E-waste An e-waste management strategy was drafted Plans are underway for the establishment of a manual E-waste dismantling plant In collaboration with the E-waste Solutions Alliance for Africa UK, a pilot is underway for establishment of an E-waste collection system

Thank You DICKSON KWESIGA