MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY (ICT)TECHNOLOGY (ICT)

DRAFT E-WASTE MANAGEMENT POLICY FOR UGANDA

BY: AMBROSE RUYOOKA, PMP

-DIRECTORATE OF IT&IMS-

PRESENTATION OCTOBER 6, 2011

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CHAPTER ONE: CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

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Background Background • the advent of Information and Communication Technologies

(ICTs) is fundamentally changing the way people work, learn and interact

• as investments in ICT increase, there is a faster technological lifecycle that yields substantial amounts of obsolescent equipment commonly referred to as electronic waste.

• the Government of Uganda has implemented policies that have led to increased uptake and use of electric and electronic equipment

• there is projected exponential growth of the ICT industry that will on one hand facilitate faster economic growth, but on the other, create a challenge in terms of the amounts of E-waste

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Situational analysisSituational analysis

• in the budget speech for FY2009/10, Government of Uganda imposed a ban on the importation of old computers, freezers and refrigerators.

• It is important to note that this ban addressed only a small part of electronic and electric equipment being imported into the country and which contribute to increasing volumes of E-waste when they reach end of life

• The Policy embodies comprehensive and integrated strategies for the safe disposal of various types of electronic equipment that are potentially hazardous to human health and the environment

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Situational analysisSituational analysis

Existing Policies,Regulations and Legal Framework• No specific Policy, legislation, regulation on e-Waste• draft national IT policy for Uganda has an objective addressing

e-waste. • the National Environmental Act, Cap.153 that provides only

for solid waste management.• Uganda is part of the international conventions concerning e-

waste – like the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary

Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal,– the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and – the UN World Charter for Nature, 1982– the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the O-zone layer 1985

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Situational AnalysisSituational Analysis

Human Resource• Arguably, there is significant deficit of qualified personnel to

address the disposal of e-waste in Uganda.• the National curriculum as well as private training and

certification centers that do not address e-waste as a priority at the moment

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Situational analysisSituational analysis

Infrastructure• Currently, Uganda as a country does not have any e-waste

handling facility.• Some private sector entities, though, have proposed setting

up centers for refurbishment for computer equipment.– these intend to operate at a low capacity and the primary focus is to

make profits by availing low cost computers to a section of society.– Equipment that is beyond refurbishment is still disposed of

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Situational AnalysisSituational Analysis

E-waste awareness and education• There is limited e-waste awareness in the public and private

sector.• There have been initiatives in the private sector at a low rate

geared towards e-waste awareness.• In the public sector, the National Environmental

Management Authority (NEMA) has carried out preliminary e-waste awareness initiatives.

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Situational AnalysisSituational Analysis

ICT Equipment standards and regulations• The National Bureau of Standards does not have specific

standards addressing e-waste.• The National Information Technology Authority – Uganda

(NITA-U) was established in 2009 to address, among others, the issue of defining standards for ICT equipment imported into the country.

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CHAPTER TWO: CHAPTER TWO: RATIONALE

FOR THE e-WASTE POLICY

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Rationale for the e-Waste PolicyRationale for the e-Waste Policy

• Poorly disposed e-waste can lead to severe human health and environmental hazards due to highly toxic substances like mercury and lead (Lead poisoning, cancerous mercury and pollution from burning damaging human organs and the environment).

• Rapidly increasing e-waste volumes, both domestically generated as well as through imports.

• No accurate estimates of the quantity of e-waste generated and recycled

• Low level of awareness amongst manufacturers and consumers of the hazards of incorrect e-waste disposal

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Rationale for the e-Waste PolicyRationale for the e-Waste Policy

• Widespread e-waste recycling in the informal sector using rudimentary techniques such as acid leaching and open air burning resulting in severe environmental damage

• Potential e-Waste workers have little or no knowledge of toxins in e-waste and are exposed to serious health hazards

• Inefficient recycling processes result in substantial losses of material value

• ‘Cherry-picking’ by recyclers who recover precious metals and improperly dispose of the rest

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CHAPTER THREE: CHAPTER THREE: E-WASTE MANAGEMENT POLICY FOR UGANDA

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Vision StatementVision Statement

“To achieve sustainable electronic waste management for a healthy environment and nation”

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Mission StatementMission Statement

“To have an E-waste knowledgeable nation through promotion of efficient handling and sustainable management of E-waste,

hence safeguarding the country’s human life and environment”

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Policy GoalPolicy Goal

“To guide, promote and ensure the safe management of E-waste in Uganda”

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Policy Guiding PrinciplesPolicy Guiding Principles

• Ensuring human life and environmental protection• Taking into consideration of the impact of globalization on

manufacture, usage and disposal of used electrical and electronic equipment

• Ensuring consumer awareness in usage and disposal of E-waste

• The need for Public Private Partnership in E-waste management in conformity with the Government’s Macroeconomic policy reforms .

• Addressing cross cutting issues in E-waste management such as sustainability, gender, youth and people with disabilities

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Policy ObjectivesPolicy Objectives

• To provide for establishment of E-waste facilities in the country;• To mobilize and sensitize the Government, private sector and the

community on the proper management and handling of E-waste on a sustainable basis;

• To provide for the putting in place of specific E-waste standards, regulations and guidelines for the acquisition, handling and disposal processes;

• To develop a critical human resource base knowledgeable in E-waste management;

• To provide for resource mobilization for efficient management and disposal of E-waste; and

• To establish incentives for encouraging both local and foreign investors to establish E-waste management facilities in Uganda

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Strategic ObjectivesStrategic Objectives

• To develop and adopt national and international standards in the planning and smart use of IT.

• To be mindful of the Impact of e-waste management on the environmental monitoring and control systems;

• To develop an enabling legislative and regulatory framework for IT related issues to achieve the strategic objectives;

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CHAPTER FOUR: CHAPTER FOUR: POLICY PRIORITY AREAS

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Policy Priority AreasPolicy Priority Areas

• Establishment of E-waste management Infrastructure– Carry out a baseline survey and analysis of the E-waste threat;– Develop sustainable models for E-waste management;– Encourage set up of facilities to handle refurbishment of

unwanted electrical and electronic equipment and/ or E-waste recycling in all regions of the country; and

– Develop incentives for establishment of sustainable E-waste disposal agencies through mutually beneficial reuse and/or recycling schemes.

• Legal and Regulatory Framework– Review and amend the relevant Laws and Acts to cater for E-

waste management, including issues of manufacturer responsibility and end-of-life equipment take-back; and

– Develop the relevant regulations to operationalise the revised Law;

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Policy Priority AreasPolicy Priority Areas

• E-waste Skills Development and Awareness building– Establish centers of excellence for training the requisite human

resource;– Develop and popularize a change management programme for

leaders of Government and private sector institutions to embrace proper E-waste management;

– Develop and implement an awareness campaign strategy to create general vigilance about the issues of E-waste management and ensure that the population understands how to safely dispose of E-waste and access safe disposal systems;

– Ensure procurement of environmentally friendly electric and electronic equipment across the country; and

– Mainstream E-waste issues at all levels in the national education curriculum.

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CHAPTER FIVE: CHAPTER FIVE: INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK & POLICY IMPLEMENTATION

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Institutional frameworkInstitutional framework

MoICT• Develop an all-encompassing strategic plan for

implementing the E-waste policy, detailing the costs, time frames, targets, outputs and outcomes;• Coordinate the development of regulations, standards,

guidelines and quality assurance as concerns E-waste; • Supervise, guide and provide technical support to

MDAs as well as undertake monitoring and evaluation; and • Take the lead in E-waste awareness programs• Undertake a baseline survey to establish the magnitude

of the E-waste threat under the sector24

Institutional frameworkInstitutional framework

Ministry of Trade and Industry and Cooperatives (MTIC)– Liaise with the World Trade Organization (WTO) with a

view of informing the development of standards and regulations regarding importation of electronic and electric equipment into the country; and

– Develop a mechanism to audit and monitor compliance of incoming electrical and electronic equipment with set standards and regulations

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Institutional frameworkInstitutional framework

Ministry of Health (MOH)Develop and implement policies that govern health

and Safety standards on E-waste managementMinistry of Water and Environment

Review of the national Environment and Natural Resources Management Policy

National Environment Management Authority (NEMA)– Spearhead the Introduction of new regulations under the NEMA Act

to incorporate E-waste management legislation; and– Issue and enforce E-waste handling licenses in Uganda for entities

dealing with collection, transportation and disposal/ recycling of end-of-life equipment.

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Institutional frameworkInstitutional framework

Uganda Communications Commission• Undertake a baseline survey to establish the magnitude of the

E-waste threat under the communications subsector;• Appropriately integrate E-waste management into licensing

conditions of telecommunications and broadcasting service providers;

• Advise the Ministry of ICT and other relevant bodies on E-waste matters in the communications subsector;

• Provide technical support in matters of E-waste management in the communications subsector; and

• Collaborate with key stakeholders to educate the public in matters of E-waste management.

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Institutional frameworkInstitutional framework

National Information Technology Authority – Uganda (NITA-U)• Collaborate with the Ministry of ICT to undertake a baseline

survey to establish the magnitude of the E-waste threat under the IT subsector;

• Collaborate with UNBS to develop and enforce standards and regulations on E-waste management; and

• Provide technical support and advice on E-waste disposal to the public and private sector.

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Institutional frameworkInstitutional framework

Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS)• In collaboration with the Ministry of Trade and Industry and

Cooperatives (MTIC), notify World Trade Organization (WTO) member states on electronic Equipment standards set, policies and regulations developed that affect quality of electric and electrical imports into the country; and

• Develop a mechanism to audit and monitor compliance of electric and electronic equipment with set standards.

Uganda Revenue Authority (URA)• Enforce compliance of all imported electric and electronic

equipment with set standards at the Point of Entry; and• Maintain statistical records of imported electric and

electronic imports.29

Institutional frameworkInstitutional framework

Local GovernmentsMobilize and participate in sensitizing the communities about the threat of E-waste and how it can be safely managed.

Private SectorTake advantage of the enabling and conducive policy and legal framework to invest and create business as well as employment around E-waste management

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CHAPTER Six: CHAPTER Six: RESOURCE MOBILISATION

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Resource MobilisationResource Mobilisation

• Increase the budgetary allocation to the initiatives targeted at reducing e-waste risks.

• Set up an e-waste fund that will be collected from both the sellers and buyers of electronic equipment.– applying the Advanced Recycling Fee (ARF) that requires consumers to

pay a recycling fee when purchasing ICT equipment. The fee is collected in a national fund to cover costs of collection and recycling of e-waste once the equipment reaches end of life

• Put in place mechanism for resource mobilization from development partners.– e-waste management is an issue of a global concern; therefore,

resources will also be mobilized from development partners who offer support to developing countries in terms of undertaking baseline surveys, development of e-waste management action plans as well as carrying awareness amongst the population 32

CHAPTER SEVEN: CHAPTER SEVEN: Monitoring and Evaluation

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Monitoring and Evaluation

• E-waste Policy will require consistent monitoring and evaluation of the outcome indicators.

• The Government together with other relevant stakeholders will carry out monitoring and evaluation at different levels.

• A monitoring and evaluation framework shall be developed to ensure midterm review of the policy.

• The policy shall be reviewed every three (3) years to take into account rapid changes in technology.

• Annual surveys shall be carried out to gather statistics about E-waste and its management with a view to establishing whether implementation of the policy is making a positive impact on protection of the environment and life in general.

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CHAPTER SEVEN: CHAPTER SEVEN: Financial Implications

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Financial Implications

Institution Amount(UGX)

Ministry of Information and Communications Technology 3,150,000,000

Ministry of Trade Industry and Cooperatives with Uganda National Bureau of Standards

3,550,000,000

National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) 265,000,000*

Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) 1,050,000,000

National Information Technology-Uganda (NITA-U) 2,310,000,000

Grand Total

10,325,000,000

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ConclusionConclusion

The purpose of this presentation is to request TMT to note The purpose of this presentation is to request TMT to note that ;that ;

a) the Draft e-Waste management Policy has been developed; and

b) Draft e-Waste management Policy has been submitted to Cabinet for approval

c) Consultations on Budgetary Implications as per guidance by MoFPED have been concluded. To submit by end of this week for Certificate of Financial Implications.

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THANK YOUTHANK YOU

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