The Right Honorable Erias Lukwago, Lord Mayor of Kampala, took a significant step towards addressing the city’s pressing waste management challenges by visiting the Kitezi landfill in Wakiso district on Tuesday.
The sprawling landfill, stretching across 36 acres, has reached its maximum capacity, necessitating immediate action to prevent environmental and health hazards.
During the inspection, Mayor Lukwago stressed the urgent need for an expanded fleet of garbage trucks, revealing that the current garbage collection rate in the city stands worryingly at 60 percent.
Despite the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) having 29 garbage trucks, only 22 are in good working condition, exacerbating the waste disposal crisis.
“We require more garbage trucks, at least 100, to ensure every parish in Kampala has one, thereby improving garbage collection,” emphasized Lukwago, underlining the critical need to strengthen the city’s waste management infrastructure.
The mayor highlighted that the current situation demands a collective effort to secure the necessary funds and resources to enhance Kampala’s waste management capabilities.
Lukwago’s call for action goes beyond acquiring additional trucks; he emphasized the importance of formulating a comprehensive policy on solid waste management.
This policy, he explained, would address crucial aspects such as proper disposal methods, efficient utilization of garbage trucks, and the promotion of recycling practices within the city.
“The Kitezi landfill is at its limit, and we must channel all our efforts to resolve this crisis,” Lukwago declared, stressing the gravity of the situation.
In response to the waste management conditions, Lukwago also discussed the government’s plans to rehabilitate the Kitezi-Buwambo road, primarily used for transporting garbage to the landfill.
He disclosed that the government secured a $288 million loan from the African Development Bank (AfDB) for the Kampala City Roads Rehabilitation Project (KCRRP). These funds will be utilized for the improvement of Kitezi Road.
“We anticipate commencing work on this road around March, assuring you that we will address the road issues with the secured funds,” Lukwago stated.
Despite discussions about potentially relocating the landfill to Dundu in Mukono district, Mayor Lukwago emphasized the need to prioritize resolving the current waste management challenges before considering a shift.
KCCA owns a 136-acre piece of land in Dundu, Mukono district, where plans are in place to establish a modern recycling plant to manage waste in the city.
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