Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) executive director Sharifah Buzeki has urged authority workers and local leaders to strengthen public health and environmental management systems to improve sanitation and waste collection in their communities.
Buzeki made the call during a Weyonje community clean-up exercise in Katende Zone, Bukesa Parish, in Kampala’s Central Division, where she urged residents to work with Nabugabo Updeal Venture, the waste collection service provider, to ensure proper garbage disposal.
“I want you all to coordinate with Nabugabo Updeal Venture to manage your garbage well,” Buzeki said.
She said effective public health systems require commitment and shared responsibility between KCCA workers, local leaders and residents. She added that visible results would demonstrate leaders’ commitment to their communities and help them build public confidence.
Buzeki also reminded KCCA employees that the authority uses taxpayers’ money and must therefore deliver value for money through effective service delivery.
Dr Sarah Zalwango, KCCA’s director of public health and environment, urged residents to sort their waste to make it easier to manage and recycle. She emphasised separating electronic waste, reusable materials and non-reusable waste.
Zalwango said her department would strengthen service delivery and ensure garbage collection trucks are available during National Cleaning Day activities.
She commended City Ambiance for sensitising the public about waste management, 7Hills Cleaning SACCO for its sanitation efforts, and Nabugabo Updeal Venture for collecting waste from residents.
“I am glad that some of you have started wearing occupational safety gear such as masks, boots, overalls and gloves. These will help you avoid the risk of contracting diseases and ending up in hospital,” Zalwango said.
Local leaders from Kiyindi and Katende zones welcomed KCCA’s sanitation initiatives but asked Buzeki to intervene in a land dispute near Kiyindi Mosque.
They said the dispute had left them without adequate space for community functions and income-generating projects.
The leaders also requested a seed secondary school, a health facility and the revival of their community police post, citing growing insecurity in the area.
Newly elected Katende Zone LC1 chairperson Halima Mugisha thanked KCCA for involving local leaders in public health and environmental programmes, including Weyonje, and commended residents for complying with the initiatives.
However, former Katende Zone LC1 chairperson Rashid Semakula said some residents continued to ignore proper waste disposal practices despite KCCA’s efforts. He called for stronger enforcement against those who fail to comply.
Environmental experts have also called for greater investment in waste recycling and recovery technologies, arguing that garbage should be treated as a resource rather than simply collected and dumped. They point to countries such as Germany and Ghana, where waste recovery initiatives offer lessons for turning discarded materials into useful products.
