Kampala — The finance minister, Syda Bbumba, has announced that imports packaged in polythene will not be allowed into the country effective January 1, 2010.

The minister has urged importers of products packed in polythene materials to look for alternative packaging. The issue of polythene materials and their adverse effects on the environment has dragged on for too long in this country.

At the heart of the matter is the selfish and irresponsible attitude of those involved in the lucrative business of importing or manufacturing polythene. Because it is cheap and convenient, people cannot imagine a country without the use of polythene!

Some people have argued that instead of banning polythene material, it is better to sensitise the people on how to use and dispose of it responsibly.

That is simply a dream and there is physical evidence that the damage polythene is wrecking on our environment is getting out of hand. Polythene threatens our very livelihood because it affects soil permeability, rendering it unsuitable for plant growth.

There are countless examples of where polythene material has clogged water drainage systems causing flooding, especially in crowded urban areas.

The good news is that the Government has committed itself to assist producers of biodegradable materials as alternatives to polythene.

As citizens, it is our responsibility to protect our environment because we inherited it from another generation and must leave it behind for those who will come after us. It is not impossible to achieve this.

All that is required is political goodwill and strict surveillance. Neighbouring Rwanda is a success story. The administration of president Paul Kagame has taken the menace of polythene material head-on and Rwanda's vigilance is well demonstrated at the Katuna border. The heap of polythene material on the Uganda side is testimony that Rwanda has had enough and does not allow polythene inside her borders. This is a wake-up call. How does Rwanda survive without polythene material? Uganda should take a leaf from her.