This is a private property when residents just dump garbage illegally.
By George Bukenya
As Uganda joins the rest of the World to commemorate the World Environment Day, many Uganda’s have not yet embraced the need for conservation of the environment they live in.
Despite efforts by local government especially cities and Civil Society organizations in trying to sensitize the masses on the need to conserve the natural environment , people are still throwing and pouring garbage anyhow for instance polythene bags (Kaveera), and sewage is disposed in the bigger water channels especially residents of towns all these end up following in lake Victoria.
Although Kampala Capital City Ordinance prohibits littering, dumping or leaving garbage in unapproved areas such as streets, water bodies and water channels, people in Kawempe just dump garbage in such channels linking to Lubigi stream.
Section 4 of the ordinance asserts that every occupant or owner or dwelling or commercial is responsible for their generated waste and must ensure their premises maintain a sanitary condition while section 5 criminalize place, dumping or allowing solid waste to be dumped on public streets, roadsides, ditches, rivers or open private property and is a punishable public health nuisance.
According to the Pan African Club (PAC) Chief Executive Officer Lydia Nagawa, Air and Water pollution and environmental degradation remain significant challenges for communities in Kampala Divisions specifically Kawempe, particularly in densely populated settlements where industrial activities is closely intertwined with residential and commercial areas.
Nagawa asserts that Emissions and waste discharge from manufacturing and processing facilities contribute to contamination of water sources, degradation of drainage systems, and livelihoods, and environmental integrity.
“These environmental pressures are negatively affecting vulnerable groups, including women, children, and low-income households who depend on the local environmental resources for their daily survival and economic wellbeing,’’ she said.
As part of the activities of commemorating the World Environment Day 2026, the Pan African Club organized a Youth Conference under the theme: “ Advancing Youth-Led Policy Engagement and Legal Empowerment for Climate Justice.’’
The Conference attracted 97 in-person youth participants drawn from diverse background, including communities directly affected by industrial pollution in Kawempe Division, alongside over 100 virtual participants across Uganda.
The work shop was intended to enhance youth capability in understanding legal frameworks and practical advocacy strategies relevant to climate justice and environmental governance, facilitating structures dialogue between youth and key stakeholders including the leaders of Kawempe Division, Members of Parliament and environmental experts.
Lord Mayor Ronald Balimwezo Nsubuga while giving his speech just after being sworn in, he pledged to take environmental protection and conservation as a very critical issue and that he will be tackling it expeditiously.