Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Uganda Monitor
Published on 2024-04-01 09:36:16
Kabale Municipal Council is in need of Shs500 million to acquire a piece of land that will serve dual purposes as a cemetery for unclaimed bodies and a garbage collection center, as they prepare for city status. Mayor Sentaro Byamugisha stated that the current garbage collection center on Kirengyere Hill is no longer adequate to handle the volume of waste generated monthly in the municipality.
The mayor explained that the municipal cemetery at Mwanjari in Southern Division was transformed into a business center after relocating the remains of the deceased to Kirengyere, adjacent to the garbage collection center. These projects are part of the municipality’s preparations for city status.
In April 2020, Parliament approved the creation of 15 new cities in phases. The first phase included cities like Jinja, Mbarara, Gulu, and others, while the second phase had cities like Hoima and Lira. Kabale is scheduled to become a city in the last cluster of new cities.
Mayor Byamugisha mentioned that the necessary funds for the city status transition will be included in the upcoming financial year’s budget, with hopes of receiving funding from the central government. He also announced the implementation of a Shs500 fee imposed on residents for waste collection by municipal trucks to alleviate the financial burden of garbage collection on the council.
Plans are underway to purchase land in the neighboring sub-counties of Kyanamira, Kahoro, and Kitumba for the cemetery and garbage collection center. However, negotiations between the municipal council and landowners are still ongoing. Last year, the senior environment officer, Mr. Alfred Ahimbisibwe, revealed that only a portion of the solid waste generated annually is collected due to limited funds and community members’ poor waste disposal habits.
Central Division’s LCIII chairman, Mr. Sam Arineitwe, suggested the construction of a municipal mortuary to ease congestion at Kabale Regional Referral Hospital’s morgue. He also emphasized the need for educating the public on utilizing garbage as feed for domestic animals, particularly dairy cows, and promoting the commercial production of manure from biodegradable waste.
Overall, Kabale Municipal Council is proactively addressing waste management challenges and preparing for the transition to city status by investing in infrastructure and educating the community on sustainable waste management practices.
Read the original article on Uganda Monitor
