INFRASTRUCTURE BARAZA: Nakawa Residents Demand For More Garbage Trucks

By PATRICK JARAMOGI

KAMPALA, Uganda March 13 [SHIFTMEDIA] Nakawa Mayor Mugambe Paul has commented about President Yoweri Museveni’s directive to arrest citizens who dump rubbish irresponsibly in Kampala. Speaking at a baraza organized by CoST (Construction Sector Transparency) Uganda, Mugambe argued that rather than criminalizing littering, the government should invest in more garbage trucks to address the growing waste management crisis in the city.

During the commissioning of the Kampala Flyover Project last week, President Museveni instructed Kampala  Capital City Authority (KCCA) Executive Director Hajjat Sharifa Buzeki to collaborate with the police in apprehending individuals who litter the city. The President expressed frustration over the continued poor sanitation in Kampala, attributing it to the reckless behavior of some residents. However, Mayor Mugambe has taken issue with this approach, emphasizing that enforcement alone will not solve the problem.

“I don’t agree with President Museveni regarding arresting citizens who dump rubbish recklessly; what we need is more garbage trucks to handle the increasing garbage in Kampala,” Mugambe stated. He pointed out that funds used in surveillance and CCTV camera installations would be better utilized in purchasing more garbage trucks, ensuring a more efficient waste collection system.

Mugambe highlighted the dire situation in Nakawa, one of Kampala’s busiest divisions. With a growing population and six markets generating large volumes of waste, the division has only four garbage trucks, which he described as grossly inadequate. He urged the government to prioritize funding for waste management infrastructure rather than punitive measures against citizens.

The baraza, held at Mbuya II Community Hall on Wednesday  under the theme: Responsible Infrastructure Investment  Campaign: , provided a platform for residents to voice their concerns. Many attendees expressed frustration over poor garbage collection services, bad roads, prolonged delays in road construction, dust from road construction, and blocked drainage systems. These drainage issues, residents noted, exacerbate flooding in the area whenever it rains. There was also dissatisfaction with the lack of community involvement in decision-making processes for development projects in Nakawa Division.

The Deputy Director Procurement at Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Doreen Akatuhwera Tiberonda told the residents that KCCA has plans of ensuring that all roads in Kampala are restored. “We are aware of your concerns regarding the poor garbage collections, potholed roads, and blocked drainages, but as you can see most roads are being worked on like the Old Port-bell road, it has delayed, but once complete, you will enjoy,” she said. Tiberonda urged the Nakawa residents to avoid littering that blocks drainages.

CoST Uganda officials, who facilitated the discussion, emphasized the need for increased citizen engagement in government projects. Geoffrey Odong, the CoST Uganda Manager, and Olive Kabatwairwe, the Africa Regional Manager and Learning Lead CoST International Secretariat, encouraged Nakawa residents to closely monitor all government projects in their division. They underscored the importance of accountability and transparency in infrastructure development.

Odongo said CoST had patterned with KCCA to implement a pilot project modelling 32 Data points of the new open contracting for infrastructure Data Standards (OC4IDS) to assess whether it provides sufficient information on how infrastructure projects are selected and appraised

The issue of waste management in Kampala has been a persistent challenge for years, with authorities struggling to keep up with the rapid urbanization and population growth. Poor waste disposal practices have led to environmental hazards, blocked drainage systems, and health risks for residents. While the government has made efforts to address these concerns, including deploying CCTV cameras to monitor public spaces, Mugambe and other critics argue that such measures do little to tackle the root cause of the problem.

Environmental activists and urban planners have also weighed in on the matter, supporting the call for increased investment in garbage collection infrastructure. Many believe that punitive measures, such as arrests, will only create fear and resentment among residents without providing a sustainable solution to waste management challenges.

The debate over waste management policies and poor roads in Kampala reflects broader concerns about governance, urban planning, and service delivery. Many residents who spoke at the baraza feel that the government’s priorities are misplaced, with resources being channeled into surveillance rather than practical solutions to everyday problems. Mugambe’s stance has resonated with many Nakawa dwellers who struggle with inefficient garbage collection services.

In response to these concerns, urban development experts have suggested a multi-faceted approach to tackling Kampala’s waste problem. Recommendations include increasing the number of garbage trucks, improving community waste collection points, enhancing public awareness campaigns on proper waste disposal, and strengthening recycling initiatives. Additionally, they call for better coordination between KCCA and local communities to ensure that waste management strategies are inclusive and effective.

Jolly Violet the programs officer at CoST Uganda said similar baraza’s to discus issues related to road infrastructure will be held in Rubaga and Makindye divisions this week.