For many people the car remains an indispensable means of getting to and from city locations to work or to enjoy leisure time pursuits. Rapid goods transport from one part of the city to another would not be possible without the use of trucks. The motor vehicle will therefore be one of the principal means of transport.
However, all over the world the automobile use is growing very fast in urban areas. This problem is particularly alarming in developing countries where rapid urbanization is not accompanied by expansion of roads. Automobiles today are the prime source of atmospheric pollution. They are largely responsible for the smog that covers most of the world’s cities. Car emissions account for more than one half of urban pollution and over one quarter of greenhouse effect emissions.
This problem is even more severe here in Kampala where unleaded fuel is not yet used widely. According to the World Bank, the lead content of fuel oils used in developing countries ranges from 0.8 g/l to 1.1 g/l whereas in developing countries it is at an average of 0.15 g/l. Lead has a poisoning effect on the activity of a device usually attached to car exhaust systems to remove gaseous pollutants like carbon monoxide.
I have had a chance to visit a few European cities. If you keenly observed the exhaust pipe of a car, the fumes out of it can hardly be noticed by the naked eye. But here in my city, you cannot fail to notice a thick black jet of smoke from the tail pipe of many cars. These fumes are especially dangerous to infants, the elderly and asthmatics. The problem of leaded fuel is exacerbated by the age of cars driven here in Kampala. Majority of the cars are second or third-hand. At that age, many cars are not able to use function efficiently.
There are alternatives to the motor vehicle that a lot of young people can embrace. Walking especially to destinations less than 2 kilometres is a good idea. You will not pollute, will save money, keep yourself fit and in good shape, not to mention that you reduce the risk of a possible heart disease by 50%.
The option of taking the bus is another good one. On the bus, you can read a magazine, meet a nice person or simply relax, knowing the fact that you do well for the environment. Whenever possible, take a train, a bus or a tram!
The Netherlands has a big success story with bicycles. At least four out of every five people in The Netherlands owns a bicycle. Men and women alike use bikes to go places. Here in Kampala, you would be very lucky to see one woman riding a bike. Besides, one needs to be a real good cyclist to find their way round the very heavy city traffic.
For those who cannot do without the cheap second hand ‘smokers’ in town, I have a few practical suggestions to reduce pollution in our city. Don’t accelerate or break unless necessary; If you are not in a hurry, avoid driving at maximum speed and only use the optimal. Whenever your car is not moving, it is a good idea to switch off the engine. This clearly reduces the dirty stuff that your exhaust would deposit in the atmosphere. It is also a good idea to take one’s car for regular checks of the exhaust system and proper functioning of the engine. Another helpful suggestion would be to plan weekly shopping so that you don’t have to go to the grocery everyday. All these measures represent huge saving on your part but also would do a lot of good in reducing air pollution from car exhaust emissions.
But before all this can happen, I think the Mayor of Kampala city should put a big ‘No Smoking’ billboard for all drivers of cars unleashing poisonous gases into the atmosphere. Otherwise, polluting cars remain the biggest ‘smokers’ in Kampala city.
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