Uganda’s Silent Threat: NEMA Urged to ban toxic lead paints as global week highlights child exposure

As the world observes International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (October 19-25) under the theme “No Safe Level: Act Now to End Lead Exposure,” a coalition of environmental advocates is demanding urgent regulatory action in Uganda to eliminate toxic lead paints still widely used in homes and schools.

The Western Media for Environment and Conservation (WEMECO) warns that Uganda faces a silent public health crisis, as non-compliant decorative paints continue to endanger the health and future development of millions of children.

The Danger is Real: Shocking Lead Levels Found

Despite safer alternatives being readily available locally, lead-laced paints remain easily accessible across the country.

A 2017 study of decorative paints sold in Kampala revealed the scale of the crisis: 67 per cent of paints surveyed exceeded the internationally recommended safe limit of 90 parts per million (ppm). Even more alarmingly, the study found some paint samples contained astronomical lead levels soaring to 150,000 ppm—a concentration more than 1,600 times the safe threshold.

“The danger is acute for our youngest population,” stated Peter Akugizibwe Araali, Executive Director of WEMECO. “Young children absorb up to five times more lead than adults. This is a neurotoxin that causes irreversible harm.”

Even low-level exposure to lead—often caused by children touching flaking paint or inhaling dust—can permanently damage brain development, reduce learning ability, cause aggressive behavioral problems, stunted growth, kidney damage, and hearing loss. The threat is not theoretical: the brief states that one two-year-old child was recently hospitalized with severe abdominal pain caused directly by ingesting flaking wall paint at home.

Urgent Call to NEMA: Time for Regulatory Action

WEMECO is calling for immediate intervention from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to regulate, monitor, and enforce safe paint manufacturing practices.

Uganda currently lags behind its regional neighbors. Kenya already enforces a mandatory, protective limit of 90 ppm for lead in decorative paints, and the East African Community (EAC) is actively working toward harmonized, strict standards. Without decisive government action, Uganda’s communities and future generations remain unnecessarily exposed to this preventable poison.

“The science is clear, safer alternatives exist, and the human cost of inaction is simply too high,” Mr. Akugizibwe said. “Uganda successfully eliminated lead from petrol before; we can and must do the same for paints. Every wall should serve to protect, not harm, our children.”

Simple Actions, Big Impact

WEMECO outlines the necessary steps required from all key stakeholders to safeguard public health:

• Regulators (NEMA): Immediately adopt and enforce a mandatory, maximum lead limit of 90 ppm for all decorative paints sold or manufactured in Uganda.
• Manufacturers: Cease the production of paints containing lead additives and commit to transparency through voluntary certification and labeling.

Parents and Consumers: Avoid using old or cheap paints, and ensure floors and toys in the home and schools are regularly cleaned using wet methods to minimize exposure to toxic dust. Repaint with certified lead-free products.

Western Media for Environment and Conservation (WEMECO), with support from the Lead Exposure Elimination Project (LEEP), advocates vigorously for environmental protection, public health, and the promotion of sustainable practices across Uganda.