By Amos Ssemuwemba
In a dramatic turn of events following yesterday’s council meeting, tensions flared among counselors over a contentious waste management report. This clash has prompted Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago to express significant dissatisfaction, calling for immediate action in response to the ongoing waste crisis plaguing the city.
Following the chaotic session, Lukwago has announced a directive to halt the ongoing process of acquiring land for a new waste management facility. This decision comes after the Executive Director of KCCA, Madam Dorothy Kisaka, had informed the city executive committee about the establishment of a land acquisition committee led by Director of Physical Planning, Vincent Byendamayila.
Lukwago expressed frustration over the lack of progress. “Under the laws given to me as the Lord Mayor, I direct that the process for acquisition of an alternative land for establishment of a waste management facility be forthwith halted until the city executive committee is furnished with a comprehensive, progressive report for further management and council consideration,” he stated firmly
The mayor referenced a recent letter addressed to Kisaka, highlighting the release of 16 billion shillings from contingency funds to facilitate the land acquisition. KCCA’s Procurement and Disposal Unit (PDU) had already issued a bid to landowners, outlining strict specifications for the required land:
- A minimum of 200 acres
- Proper documentation of ownership
- Location within 30 kilometers from the central business district
- A 200-meter buffer from residential areas, schools, and hospitals
- Exclusion from environmentally sensitive areas, major highways, and flood-prone zones
The mayor’s remarks echo the urgency felt by many within the council and the community. “We have been chased away from all nearby authorities and municipalities. Now we urgently need our land because we’re stuck with garbage, and we want the dump site today,” Lukwago added, underscoring the pressing need for a solution to the city’s mounting waste crisis.
As the situation unfolds, city officials face increasing pressure to address the growing waste management issues effectively. The council’s next steps will be critical in determining how quickly a new facility can be established to tackle the city’s waste challenges.
