Uganda is undergoing a significant energy transition, diversifying its energy mix towards solar, hydropower, and biomass while developing its critical minerals. This shift is bringing cleaner energy but also a rapidly growing wave of battery waste, from small electronics to large solar storage systems.
If unmanaged, this will create a new environmental and health emergency and the existing National Environment Act (2019) and Waste Management Regulations contain provisions for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), requiring producers to manage end-of-life products.
However, implementation faces challenges such as political interference, lack of transparency, and limited infrastructure, allowing most hazardous waste to end up in landfills or be processed through dangerous informal methods. For communities, this means the risk of toxic heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and mercury leaching into soil and water sources, endangering public health and ecosystems.
The Centre for Citizens Conserving Environment & Management (CECIC) works to turn Uganda’s environmental protection potential into reality. Our objective for this program is to ensure Uganda’s green energy future is not undermined by toxic waste. We aim to transform the national approach to batteries by advocating for a functional circular system one that is properly funded, locally driven, and protects the most vulnerable communities.
To bridge the gap between national policy and on-the-ground reality, we execute the following interconnected actions:
Advocate for Strong and Enforced Policy
We work with policymakers to push for the effective implementation of existing EPR laws for batteries and e-waste.
We campaign to close legislative gaps and strengthen regulations, ensuring producers (importers and sellers) are held financially and physically responsible for the batteries they introduce to the Ugandan market.
Our advocacy focuses on creating a system that reduces the burden on local governments and municipalities, which often lack the resources for effective waste management.
Educate and Empower Communities
We conduct hands-on workshops and training sessions, particularly in rural and vulnerable communities, on the dangers of battery waste and safe handling, storage, and disposal methods.
We build local capacity and raise public awareness to create demand for proper recycling services and hold both producers and authorities accountable.
Promote Practical Recycling Solutions and Clean Alternatives
We support the development of formal collection and recycling infrastructure. This includes exploring partnerships with regional recyclers, such as Enviroserve in Rwanda, which has set up a state-of-the-art facility serving East Africa.
We champion research into and adoption of safer, more sustainable battery technologies suitable for the Ugandan context.
Build Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships for Impact
We collaborate with businesses (like battery importers and solar companies), other NGOs, government agencies, and international partners.
We believe that collective action is essential to pool resources, share knowledge, and create the scalable systems needed to solve this national challenge.
Through this focused, Uganda-centered approach, CECIC is ensuring that the batteries driving national development are managed responsibly from start to finish protecting people and the planet.
Join us in building a truly sustainable future.