Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and leaders in Entebbe have reached a consensus to resume garbage dumping at the Nkumba site in Katabi Town Council, Entebbe, following public outcry and backlash from the local community.
The decision comes after area leaders halted the dumping of waste in Nkumba yesterday, citing space constraints and inadequate communication from KCCA in the wake of the Kiteezi landfill disaster.
Today, Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago intervened in Entebbe to resolve the dispute with local leaders. Accompanied by his Deputy Mayor, Doreen Nyanjula, and other officials, Lukwago was received at Katabi Town Council before heading into a closed-door meeting with the council leaders. Journalists were not permitted to attend the discussions.
After the meeting, Ronald Kalema, the Chairperson of LCIII Katabi Town Council, briefed the press on the outcomes. He outlined the conditions that KCCA must adhere to under the new agreement, allowing garbage dumping in Nkumba to continue for at least one month.
Following the meeting, Mayor Lukwago issued an apology to the local leaders and community for the oversight and pledged cooperation moving forward. The Lord Mayor and his convoy then proceeded to inspect the Nkumba dumping site, traveling along the designated dusty Kasenyi Road.
Upon arrival at the site, Lukwago announced that KCCA officials would convene an executive meeting the following day to plan further actions. “Starting tomorrow, our engineers will be on-site to assess the necessary measures. We appreciate the local leaders for permitting the use of this site, even if temporarily. The KCCA executive will deliberate on the next steps,” Lukwago stated.
The Nkumba dumping site, spanning 14 acres and located along the shores of Lake Victoria, has raised environmental concerns among residents due to potential health hazards.