Pollution is said to be the biggest killer in developing countries.

Contaminated air, water and soil claim millions of lives every year.

Rapid urbanization and economic growth brings fear that these

numbers will only rise in years to come. In Uganda, the effects of

pollution on people are becoming more visible. The World Health

Organization (WHO) says more than eight million people die around

the world every year as a result of living in a polluted environment.

In Kampala, Dr.Kiggundu Tamale said the effects of air pollution are

becoming more and more noticeable. "Air pollution has become one

of the biggest challenges faced in Uganda, especially in urban

centres. The main cause of air pollution is transport, especially rapid

motorization that is being experienced in urban areas. But then there

are other causes, like mining and open waste burning." Said

Dr.Tamale. Doctors say it is often difficult to tie someone's health

problems especially to air pollution. In recent years though, doctors in

Uganda have seen an increase in the number of patients with lung

problems.

Dr.William Worodria said air pollution has multiple effects "and

particularly the lungs, the heart and other body systems. In the lungs

you may have chronic lung disease, like bronchial asthma, and

chronic obstructed lung diseases, even lunger cancer has been

reported to be associated with air pollution," said Dr.William

Worodria. Worldwide, the WHO says pollution kills more people than

malaria, HIV and AIDS and tuberculosis put together. Yet, the

population is many times not protected from pollution by government.

Studies by Ugandan scientists suggest about 14% of children

between the ages of 8 and 14 living in Kampala have bronchial

asthma.

Dr.William Worodria said researchers found similar results in one of

Uganda's rural districts. In such districts, other forms of pollution

included indoor pollution from smoke which comes from the cooking

using firewood. About 14% of the people in the rural district had some

form of lung diseases. Scientists and health officials say, one of the

reasons air pollution is not given attention in many countries is

because it can not be seen easily and therefore not considered to be

a big problem. "For example, if you have poor road infrastructure or

electricity, this is obvious. So our politicians tend to focus more on

problems that are visible. But air pollution is less visible and,

therefore, our decision makers or policy makers do not see it as very

important," said Dr.Tamale.

Recently, however, Ugandan health officials and the government

have started a campaign to raise awareness about lung diseases

caused by air pollution. One suggested approach includes trying to

get people out of their cars and walking, before Uganda becomes

congested not only by cars but by their exhaust fumes.

By Serginho Roosblad Feb 18, 2015