MAKINDYE CLEAN-UP TURNS SPOTLIGHT ON RESIDENTS ROLE IN CITY SANITATION

What began as a routine clean-up along Gaba Road in Makindye Division on Saturday quickly evolved into a pointed reminder: Kampala’s sanitation challenge will not be solved by trucks and sweepers alone.

During the Weyonje Campaign activation, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) officials, led by Deputy Executive Director Benon Kigenyi, joined residents, community groups and local leaders in clearing garbage and engaging the public on responsible waste management.

But beyond the visible piles of collected waste, officials emphasized a less visible issue, habit.

“Sorting waste at the source allows us to turn organic matter into compost and direct plastics, metals and glass into recycling plants,” Kigenyi said. “This not only cuts costs and eases collection but also prevents flooding caused by blocked drains.”

KCCA says indiscriminate dumping continues to clog drainage channels, damage infrastructure and expose residents to health risks, especially in densely populated areas.

Kigenyi warned that Kampala’s rapid growth is intensifying environmental pressure, with waste management emerging as one of the city’s most urgent challenges.

“How we manage waste and maintain clean surroundings has a direct impact on the quality of life,” he said. “Kampala faces growing environmental challenges linked to rapid urbanisation, including poor waste management.”

Dr Sarah Zalwango the Director Public Health and Environment said the authority is increasingly shifting focus from enforcement to community-led action, urging households and businesses to take ownership of their surroundings.

“This is about changing everyday practices,” Dr Zalwango said. “When waste is sorted and properly managed at the household level, it reduces pressure on the city and improves public health outcomes.”

The exercise attracted participation from groups such as Toauchafu Nanusu and Makindye SACCO, as well as the division’s technical leadership, who worked alongside KCCA teams in waste evacuation and community sensitisation.

Under the Weyonje Campaign, KCCA is promoting a shared responsibility model, where the authority provides waste collection services and enforces regulations, while residents are expected to maintain clean frontages and dispose of waste properly.

City officials say lasting change will depend on consistent public cooperation.

Residents have been urged to sort waste at source, use designated collection points and avoid littering, as the campaign rolls out across other divisions.

By Geofrey Mutegeki Araali 
Communication and Media Relations Officer