NEWS- Kampala’s Katanga slum, located in the Wandegeya suburb, is grappling with a severe garbage crisis, which has posed a significant health threat to the residents.
Following the devastating Kiteezi incident earlier this month, residents and local leaders, have decried to this publication, that the area has been overwhelmed by excessive garbage accumulation, resulting in unbearable odours permeating homes and businesses.
Residents lament that Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) garbage collection trucks have been neglecting the densely populated Katanga slum for weeks, leaving trash to pile up and posing a significant health risk to the community.
“We call upon KCCA, to come into our rescue and collect the garbage. Our lives and children are at risk. We have gone now more than two weeks without witnessing any single truck in this place.” One of the residents said.
According to Tomas Bagonza, the area Councilor, in response to the garbage crisis, they have initiated self-organized sensitization campaigns to promote safer waste management practices and reduction strategies.
Additionally, they are exploring affordable alternative methods for recycling and waste disposal. “Due to the situation in Kampala, we have started planning as local leaders to see if it’s possible to have these mechanisms in place, otherwise our lives are at risk.” Bagoza said.
Local leaders continue to urge residents to refrain from disposing of waste in drainage channels, warning that such actions could lead to the spread of diseases and exacerbate the existing health risks.
KCCA’s struggle to secure an alternative waste disposal site has led to a city-wide garbage crisis, with uncollected waste overwhelming many areas of Kampala, sparking concerns and frustration among residents who are increasingly skeptical of the authorities’ capacity to address the issue.
On Monday, the Ministry of Local Government directed that KCCA should start dumping garbage in Menvu, located in Nansana municipality, Wakiso district, after a disagreement with the local authorities of Entebbe Municipality declining that the Kampala garbage cannot be dumped at Nkumba landfill.
