KAMPALA– Uganda’s Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja has revealed that the Government is working on a Cabinet paper to address both short-term and long-term needs of waste management in the City.
Nabbanja was responding to concerns raised by Members of Parliament (MPs) following the collapse of the Kiteezi landfill located in Kasangati Town Council, Wakiso District on 10th August 2024 that resulted in the death of 34 people and displacement of another 265 persons.
Following the incident, there is a growing call among MPs to relocate the residents living near the landfill which has been Kampala’s primary waste disposal site since 1997, handling 2,500 tonnes of waste daily.
During the plenary session chaired by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon Thomas Bangirana Tayebwa, Nakawa Division East MP, Ronald Balimwezo, reported that since the closure of Kiteezi, the short-term solution was to redirect waste to a site in Entebbe, located about 35 kilometers from the capital.
However, Entebbe’s leadership has blocked Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) garbage trucks from accessing their site. He warned of a potential outbreak due to the waste collection dilemma and urged the Government to negotiate with Entebbe’s leaders to accept the transfer of waste from Kiteezi.
Cue in……………Balimwezo on Kiteezo
Nabbanja affirmed the Government’s commitment to finding a comprehensive solution.
“This issue indeed requires a collective approach. Entebbe and KCCA have been in discussions, and while there are differing views, we are working on a Cabinet paper to address both short-term and long-term needs,” she explained.
She outlined the current efforts to manage the crisis, including utilizing additional land at Kiteezi. She added that Government has four extra acres available and plans to use existing excavators to expand the site. This should help accommodate more waste in the short term.
Nabbanja also appealed to MPs to support relocating some residents from Kiteezi. And that the matter shouldn’t be politicized.
Among the future plans, Nabbanja said they are considering incinerators and learning from other countries, such as Ethiopia, which have faced similar challenges. It is crucial that we move forward without politicizing the issue.
Cue in…………Nabbanja on Kiteezi
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa supported the idea of relocating residents, suggesting an alternative approach suggesting Instead of relocating waste to Dundu, which is quite distant.
“Why not relocate the families around Kiteezi to Dundu? This will allow gov’t maintain and manage the Kitezi site more effectively” said Tayebwa.
Cue in…………Tayebwa on Kiteezi
