Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | As of this Tuesday afternoon, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) is yet to find a new place where to dispose city garbage after Dundu and Katabi rejected the temporary request following the Kiteezi landfill collapse which killed people on Saturday morning.
KCCA owns some land in Dundu in Mukono district where it had planned to dispose garbage but after the Kiteezi landfill disaster leaving many dead with 23 bodies recovered and more still buried in the ruble, the locals have vowed to fight tooth and nail to ensure the same doesn’t occur in their area.
Dundu residents led by area Member of Parliament Abdullah Kiwanuka have since warned KCCA not to dare take garbage to their area. This was told to Kampala Mayor, Erias Lukwago, who had visited the area trying to convince the locals on a temporary solution.
“We have since informed KCCA that this place is surrounded by residents,” Kiwanuka said. “If they want this place, they should first make sure that the residents are compensated so that they can leave. Without that, no body will pour garbage in this place. We even lodged a case in court.”
Lukwago said he was going to persuade his counterparts of Kyengera town council Mathias Walukaga and Roland Kalema of Katabi town council. However, Katabi town council mayor, Kalema and others leaders who include Katabi Division chairperson Richard Ssekyondo have since rejected KCCA’s request to temporarily dispose of garbage in their area.
“Lukwago should know that there is leadership in this area and no one knows about the plan to pour garbage in our area. This decision needs council meeting and council minutes. In this small place, you cannot bring your tons of garbage here. This place has already been condemned because it pollutes the Lake Victoria,” Kalema said.
Kalema and Ssekyondo’s views were backed by residents who blocked KCCA and police trucks loaded with garbage. Like Kiteezi, Katabi landfill is surrounded by homes and more people are constructing new houses.
“You cannot send your trucks which collect tons of garbage every day to this small place,” Sekyondo said. “This is an emergency. We need the cabinet to sit and find a solution. But we cannot put our lives at risk and also risk the lake.”
KCCA is current engaging various leaderships of neighbouring municipalities and town councils to ensure garbage which is likely to make Kampala a centre of all forms of stench, is temporarily disposed of. Lord Mayor Lukwago is now optimistic that his Kyengera counterpart Mathias Walukaga will accept the temporary request.
Walukaga also needs the approval of the council members and involvement of the area village leaders. No one knows how Kampala City will be looking like in case this week ends when KCCA has not found a solution regarding garbage disposal.
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