The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has warned residents against dumping garbage along roadsides and in public spaces, saying the practice is erasing gains made during the inaugural National Cleaning Day campaign.
Speaking to the media on Monday, KCCA spokesperson Daniel Nuwabine said the exercise registered significant success, with thousands of residents participating in clean-ups across the city.
“The National Cleaning Day launch was a very great success in Kampala. We had garbage evacuated from people’s homes and compounds, and it was taken to a waste management facility in Buyala,” Mr Nuwabine said.
According to him, the collected garbage was transported to the Kiteezi replacement waste management facility in Wiyala for proper disposal, helping restore cleanliness in several parts of the city.
However, Mr Nuwabine expressed concern that some residents have returned to the cleared collection points to dump fresh waste.
“As the days have gone by and as we clear the waste from the communities, we have had some individuals and homesteads bringing back garbage to the points where we had already cleared. This paints a picture as though nothing has been done, yet most of this rubbish had already been collected from the communities,” he said.
He urged households to embrace proper waste management instead of using roadsides and drainage channels as dumping grounds.
“If it is not a National Cleaning Day, you should hold onto your waste and hand it over to the garbage truck on the designated days it is scheduled to pass through your area,” he said. He added that collection is done once or twice a week depending on the programme in each area.
Mr Nuwabine also warned that indiscriminate dumping is a punishable offence. “Bringing rubbish onto our roads is not acceptable, and whoever continues doing that is orchestrating a nuisance that is punishable under the law,” he said.
KCCA Director for Health Dr Sarah Zalwango said maintaining cleanliness requires continuous cooperation between the authority and residents.
“We appeal to Local Council leaders, market vendors, landlords and community members to mobilise residents to participate in routine clean-up activities and ensure garbage is disposed of through authorised collection systems,” she said.
Dr Zalwango noted that illegal dumping not only degrades the city’s appearance but also blocks drainage channels. “It increases the risk of flooding during heavy rains and creates breeding grounds for disease-causing organisms,” she said.
“As KCCA we pledge to intensify enforcement against offenders while continuing public sensitisation campaigns aimed at changing attitudes towards waste management,” she added.
She urged residents to take personal responsibility. “We consistently urge residents to separate waste at source, use licensed garbage collectors and avoid dumping rubbish in drainage channels and along roads,” she said.
Dr Zalwango warned that offenders will face prosecution under the city’s public health and environmental laws.
About national cleaning day
The National Cleaning Day campaign was introduced by Government as part of efforts to improve sanitation, promote environmental conservation and encourage every Ugandan to take responsibility for keeping their surroundings clean.