Charitable British people are been urged to consider the environment before discarding unwanted clothing to collectors, after it has emerged that the clothes don't always end up as charity donations.
According to a government report, at least one 'charity' collects clothing, and then ships it to Uganda to sell at marked-up prices, to Kampala residents who want to look like 'English gentry'.
Items of clothing from Next, H&M and Marks & Spencer were found lying in heaps at the Kampala City Council rubbish tip by our reporter, who was told by Burberry Wax jacket-bedecked locals that there was now so much cast-off clothing from Britain in Uwino market, that the capital now resembled a weekend clay pigeon shoot in the Home Counties.
Samuel 'River Island' Umbongo, 21, an unemployed former urchin clad in a Lyle & Scott golf sweater and matching plus-fours, told us:
"I say, old chap! Tally ho to all those lovely, kind donors in Blighty! What?"
Others, meanwhile, say that many of the unsold rags are causing an environmental problem, as they are made from synthetic materials which are slow to biodegrade.
David 'Armani' Katanga, an environmentalist, said:
"Oh yes, Boss! If you are looking closely, you can get some real bargains in de market!"
