Kagina warns that Uganda’s future at risk due to environment destruction

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Allen Kagina, the Executive Director of the Uganda National Roads Authority has challenged the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to stop the continued degradation of wetlands and other environmentally sensitive resources.

Kagina cited the giveaway of waterfronts and beaches around Lake Victoria for the construction of entertainment facilities, in pure disregard of the importance of protecting them.

Speaking at the 29th ICPAU (Institute of Certified Public Accountancy of Uganda) Annual Seminar, Kagina challenged the government and private sector organisations to take the Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) agenda seriously.

This, she said is because it is in line with the International Financial Reporting System (IFRS) Sustainability Disclosure Standards as adopted by Uganda. The seminar was organised under the theme, “Driving Sustainability and Trust,” which underscores the commitment of the Accountancy profession to addressing the critical issues of today.

Kagina told NEMA to extend their efforts from evictions of encroachers in the Lubigi Wetland on the outskirts of Kampala to other areas. “I think the work of NEMA is cut out in this regard because they are constantly evicting people out of Lubigi as most of you will know Lubigi is overwhelmed, first of all by the construction a Ross the city, but also the invasion of the swamp for construction purposes,” she said.

The former Uganda Revenue Authority Commissioner General admitted that her agency is one of those whose activities lead to the destruction of environmental resources like forests and swamps, but that what matters is the restoration after the activity.

She called on all developers of my projects to keep in mind that their developments for today should not hurt the future. “Our minds cannot just be on the present but on how the future generations will cope after we have gone,” she said.

According to her, it is similar failures in managing construction and other projects that led to the Kiteezi dumping site disaster, where close to 100 people are believed to have died last month when the garbage hip collapsed on them. However, it was not areas around Kampala that were raised as if concern, but also the disappearing Mabira forest and others around the country.

ICPAU is focusing on sustainability because, according to the professionals it has a big role to play in advising and implementing the agendas of the corporations they work for. “In an era of Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity, accountants are pivotal in driving sustainability and trust,” Josephine Okui Ossiya, the president of ICPAU, said.

Ossiya and Dr. Ndidi Nnoli-Edozien, a Member of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) lead the Pronouncement on the Adoption of IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards.

“We welcome global initiatives to introduce sustainability reporting standards that complement financial reporting. ISSB’s work is vital in directing finance where it’s needed most,” Nnoli-Edozien said. The three-day seminar will climax with the recognition of outstanding contributions to accountancy with the prestigious Accountancy Service Awards.

This year, the awards will feature a special category: Woman Accountant of the Year.

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