Jinja City is facing a growing garbage management crisis after alleged encroachers blocked access to the city landfill in Masese II, Danida Cell, in the Southern Division.
The landfill is used to dispose of garbage collected from across the city, but its continued use has been disrupted by a land ownership dispute involving individuals who have reportedly obtained titles covering part of the site.
The development has raised fears that uncollected garbage could pile up on streets, in markets and residential areas if the city fails to secure access to the landfill or find an alternative disposal site.
Vinnie Ssemaganda, the chairperson of Alidina Village and a garbage collector in the city, said on Wednesday that the encroachment had made it difficult for garbage trucks to access the landfill.
‘If we cannot access the landfill, garbage will have nowhere to go. This means waste will start accumulating on the streets and in residential areas,’ Mr Ssemaganda said.
He said prolonged disruption of waste disposal could create public health and environmental risks, including foul smells, blocked drainage channels and increased breeding grounds for flies and rodents.
Wilberforce Okware, the chairperson of Masese II Danida Cell, said residents were also concerned about the landfill’s proximity to homes.
He called for government intervention, including consideration of relocating the landfill away from densely populated areas.
‘The continued existence of a landfill close to homes is a concern for residents because people living near the waste disposal site could be exposed to health and environmental risks,’ Mr Okware said.
Lawrence Kirunda, a resident, said prolonged accumulation of garbage could worsen sanitation challenges in the city.
‘If garbage is left to accumulate, it can block drainage channels, contribute to flooding and create breeding grounds for disease-carrying insects and rodents,’ he said.
James Magoola, another resident, said the situation could make garbage collection more difficult and expensive if trucks were forced to travel longer distances to alternative disposal sites.
‘I am worried that if the landfill is not accessible, garbage trucks may have to travel long distances to dispose of waste. This could increase collection costs and leave some areas with uncollected garbage,’ he said.
Mr Magoola said city authorities should urgently resolve the land ownership dispute and secure a reliable and legally protected site for waste disposal.
‘This is not only about where the garbage trucks will take the waste. It is about what happens to the city when there is nowhere to take the garbage,’ he said.
City response
Jinja City public relations officer Rajab Kito confirmed on Wednesday that some individuals had obtained land titles covering part of the landfill.
He said the city authorities were challenging the ownership claims in court to protect land designated for waste management.
‘The city is pursuing the legal process to establish ownership of the land and ensure that the landfill can continue serving its intended purpose,’ Mr Kito said.
A survey conducted by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development between 2021 and 2022 estimated that Jinja City generates 182.6 tonnes of solid waste per day.