The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has praised the Weyonje sanitation initiative for helping the authority identify major service delivery challenges affecting communities across the city.
Speaking to journalists during a Weyonje sanitation cleanup exercise in Kiwatule, Nakawa, KCCA Deputy Executive Director Benon Moses Kigenyi said the campaign has enabled the authority to work closely with residents while also identifying pressing infrastructure and sanitation needs.
During the cleanup, KCCA staff joined residents in collecting garbage and clearing drainage channels around homes.
“I want to appreciate your collaboration with KCCA. Through these cleanup exercises, we have been able to identify other challenges in your communities, including poor roads, blocked drainage channels and the need for more garbage collection trucks,” Kigenyi said.
He said KCCA has already contracted DOTT Services to rehabilitate Central Road in Kiwatule. The project was included in the authority’s development plans for the new financial year.
Kigenyi encouraged residents to continue supporting the Weyonje initiative, saying community participation is essential if Kampala is to remain clean and healthy.
He warned residents against dumping waste into drainage channels, saying the practice blocks the free flow of storm water and sewage, increases the risk of flooding during the rainy season and creates conditions for disease outbreaks.
Kigenyi noted that Kampala has 857 villages and 100 parishes, making it difficult for KCCA alone to address all sanitation and infrastructure challenges without the active support of residents.
He urged members of the public to report anyone who violates city sanitation laws to their local leaders so that KCCA can take appropriate enforcement action.
KCCA Director of Public Health and Environment, Dr Sarah Zalwango, also urged residents to follow proper sanitation and hygiene practices to prevent disease outbreaks.
She noted that the nearest KCCA health facilities serving the area, including Kiswa Health Centre III, Naguru Health Centre III and Bukoto Health Centre III, are some distance away, making disease prevention even more important.
During the inspection, Zalwango ordered the immediate closure of Universal Medical Centre after inspectors found that it was operating without a valid licence. She said the facility had also failed to manage its medical waste and sewage in accordance with public health standards.
KCCA Chief Planner Vincent Byendaimire warned developers to submit their building plans for approval before starting construction.
He said upcoming inspections will be stricter and that the authority will take action against developers who ignore the city’s planning regulations.
Byendaimire also appealed to local leaders to work closely with KCCA by reporting illegal developments and other activities that violate city laws.
