The executive director of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Sharifah Buzeki, has ordered the immediate closure of Sky City building along Nabweru Road near Bwaise Market, citing failure to implement a proper waste management plan.
Buzeki made the directive during a joint clean-up exercise at Bwaise Market and its surrounding neighbourhood in Kawempe division. The exercise was organised by KCCA in partnership with the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) s as part of the UPDF’s Tarehe Sita celebrations.
“I want to thank our gallant members of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces who joined us in this clean-up,” Buzeki told Bbeg Media.
“We ask all market vendors and nearby traders to maintain sanitation. Those who fail to comply will be penalised.”
Dressed in a KCCA field jacket, a green Muslim scarf and green gloves, Buzeki was accompanied by the director of public health and environment, Dr Sarah Zalwango, Kawempe Division town clerk Geoffrey Rwakabale, UPDF Lt Col Jemba and deputy RCC, Luuka Kagenyi.
She warned city property owners who violate public health and environmental regulations that the authority would take swift action against them if they continue flouting the law.
Buzeki said the owner of Sky City building, identified as Mahad, had been directed to collect all garbage around the property and meet all operational waste management costs. She said failure to comply would compel the authority to enforce closure immediately.
Lt Col Jemba, who commanded the UPDF team during the clean-up, commended KCCA for its sanitation and public health programmes and pledged continued cooperation.
“As we fought the Lord’s Resistance Army, Al-Shabaab in Somalia and other conflicts within and outside Uganda, we shall use the same discipline, skills and teamwork to work with KCCA to make Kampala a clean and conducive city to live and work in,” Jemba said.
Rwakabale said Kawempe would sustain enforcement of health and environmental standards, citing the division’s strong performance in last year’s Weyonje sanitation challenge.
“We shall continue strengthening enforcement to ensure Kawempe remains clean,” he said.
Faruk Bulime, a mayoral candidate for Kawempe, criticised property owners who disregard health and environmental regulations, saying their actions disproportionately affect poor and marginalised vendors and traders.
The clean-up exercise involved garbage collection, cleaning of drainage channels and community sensitisation on waste sorting.
