Residents of Muhanga Town Council in Rukiga District are demanding for immediate relocation of a garbage landfill in Kafuka Village, citing concerns about its proximity to homes, businesses and a major road.
Residents say garbage collected from different parts of Muhanga Town Council is dumped at the site without being properly sorted, raising concerns about pollution and possible health risks.
They argued that waste including polythene bags, sharp objects and other non-recyclable materials, could contaminate the soil and surrounding environment if dumping continues without proper waste management measures.
Angel Nkamushaba, a resident of Kafuka Village, said garbage brought to the landfill is not separated according to the different types of waste before disposal.
He said sharp objects at the site pose a danger to people living and working nearby, while polythene materials could remain in the soil for long periods and affect land productivity.
Nkamushaba appealed to the government and Muhanga Town Council authorities to urgently improve waste management and prevent further environmental damage.
Banarbas Muzahura, another resident, said the location of the landfill is the biggest concern because it is too close to people’s homes and other populated areas.
He called on the town council to relocate the landfill to a more suitable site away from residential areas.
Muzahura said residents are also concerned about the possible health effects of waste as it decomposes. He further alleged that waste from the landfill flows into nearby water streams used by residents for domestic activities.
Muzahura said contamination of the water sources could expose residents to health risks and urged the town council to act on their concerns.
Under the 2020 regulations, local governments (such as District, Municipal, and Town Councils) are legally responsible for managing domestic and municipal waste within their borders,formulating local bylaws and ordinances regarding waste segregation and collection and establishing official waste disposal sites and landfills, which must strictly be approved by NEMA.
Muhanga Town Council authorities say they are already addressing the problem. James Twijukye, the Muhanga Town Council LC3 Chairperson, said the authorities are aware of the concerns and have secured alternative land for the garbage landfill.
He said the relocation is expected to take place by the end of next month.
Twijukye said the new site will help address concerns associated with the current location and assured residents that the town council would continue working to improve waste management and ensure that garbage is disposed of in an appropriate location.
The planned relocation comes amid growing calls for local authorities to improve waste collection, disposal, and separation as communities across the country face increasing pressure from poorly managed solid waste.
According to NEMA dropping, dumping, or abandoning waste on public streets, roadsides, private property, or into water streams is strictly illegal. Littering or dumping toxic waste into ecosystems carries steep fines or prison sentences of up to ten years. [
It is illegal to mix hazardous waste (like medical sharps, chemicals, or electronic waste) with ordinary municipal/domestic organic waste. and the person or entity that generates the waste bears full financial and legal responsibility for its safe handling and clean-up until it is collected by an authorized collector.
