Kampala highlights clean air progress at Africa Clean Air Forum

By Our Reporter

Kampala has presented its growing efforts to combat air pollution at the Africa Clean Air Forum 2026 in Pretoria, positioning itself as one of the continent’s leading cities in urban air quality management.

Speaking at the forum, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Executive Director Sharifah Buzeki said the city has made significant progress since 2018, expanding its air quality monitoring system from limited capacity to a network of 134 monitoring stations. The system includes hyperlocal sensors that provide residents with real-time information on pollution levels.

Buzeki said the data collected has enabled the city to better understand pollution patterns and implement targeted measures aimed at cutting average particulate matter levels by 50 percent by 2030.

She noted that Kampala’s clean air strategy is supported by national environmental and public health laws, the Kampala Clean Air Action Plan 2025–2030, and the proposed Kampala Air Quality Management Bill.

Addressing delegates, Buzeki stressed that clean air should be treated as both a public health concern and a key component of sustainable urban development.

The forum opened with calls for African governments and institutions to strengthen efforts to improve air quality. South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Bernice Swarts, urged leaders to prioritise clean air as an essential requirement for healthy and sustainable cities.

Buzeki said Kampala has complemented technology-driven solutions with community engagement, including neighbourhood clean-up campaigns, training journalists as clean air advocates and involving Village Health Teams in raising public awareness and supporting air quality monitoring.

She added that the city is promoting cleaner transport through investments in cycling lanes, pedestrian walkways, electric buses and incentives for electric vehicles and motorcycles. A new traffic control centre is also expected to improve traffic flow, ease congestion and reduce vehicle emissions.

According to Buzeki, these initiatives are designed not only to improve air quality but also to encourage greener transport and healthier lifestyles.

Kampala’s environmental efforts have earned international recognition, including the National Environment Sustainability Award in June 2026. The city has also been shortlisted among 15 finalists for the Guangzhou International Award for Urban Innovation from over 265 applicants worldwide.

In addition, Kampala became the first African city to join the International Network of Tree Cities, with approximately 5,705 trees per square kilometre.

Buzeki called on African cities to strengthen collaboration in addressing air pollution, noting that environmental challenges extend beyond national boundaries. She urged greater investment in real-time monitoring systems, community participation and integrated urban planning.

The Africa Clean Air Forum 2026 runs until July 16 at the University of Pretoria and the CSIR Convention Centre, bringing together policymakers, researchers and urban leaders to discuss solutions for improving air quality across Africa.