Hoima City – Environmental activists have called on government, through its environmental agencies, to remove paints containing lead from the Ugandan market to protect the environment and public health.
The call was made by Mr. Peter Akugizibwe Araali, the Executive Director of Western Media for Environment and Conservation (WEMECO), a non-profit media network of environmental journalists working in the Albertine region.
He was speaking during a media briefing at the organisation’s offices at NAVODA House in Kasingo, Hoima West City Division, Hoima City.
Mr. Akugizibwe said the call comes as the world marks International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, observed from 18th to 24th October 2026, under the theme “From Detection to Prevntion.”
He appealed to the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) to ensure that no paint exceeding the legal limit of 90 parts per million of lead remains on the market.
Mr. Akugizibwe warned that lead exposure has severe effects, especially on the brain development of young children.
He said the campaign was emphasized in Hoima City because of the rapid developments in the area, including oil and gas activities and the construction of Hoima City Stadium, which have increased the use of paints.
Mr. Tusingwire Benon, the Executive Director of Navigators of Development Association (NAVODA), commended WEMECO for consistently sensitizing the community on environmental issues through the media.
Mr. Mugabi Joseph, also working with WEMECO, urged the public not to focus only on the attractive look of their buildings, but to consider the health effects of using paints that contain lead.