Garbage accumulation continues to be a pressing issue in Jinja City, Eastern Uganda, despite the city achieving its status in July 2020. The authorities acknowledge an ongoing struggle with waste collection, affecting streets and posing health risks to residents.
Residents and businesses in Jinja City pay monthly fees ranging from Shs5,000 to Shs30,000 for garbage collection, depending on the quantity generated. Markets deduct the garbage fee from their revenue remitted to the council. However, irregular waste collection often leaves homes and streets burdened with heaps of garbage for extended periods.
Garbage collectors operate door-to-door, collecting waste from designated points and homes. The collected garbage is transported to a seven-acre landfill in Masese Village, Jinja City Southern Division. Despite these efforts, delays in waste collection have been reported, contributing to the persistent issue of garbage piling up in various parts of the city.
Businessman James Kakaire highlights the impact of garbage accumulation on major roads in the Central Business Area, such as Lady Alice Muloki, Lubas, and Kutch, making them impassable. The situation impedes the movement of pedestrians and motorists, affecting daily activities.
A survey conducted by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development in 2021-2022 estimated that Jinja City generates 182.6 tons of solid waste per day. Some residents believe that the existing landfill in Masese is inadequate to handle the volume of garbage produced in the city.
Suggestions for addressing the issue include recycling garbage through public-private partnerships to produce biogas and manure. Residents also emphasize the need for public awareness on proper solid waste management and sorting practices. Additionally, calls are made for the rehabilitation of roads connecting to the landfill, making them accessible for garbage trucks.
Jinja City Council and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development had announced a partnership in April 2023 to explore energy generation from waste through Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs). However, residents stress the importance of educating the public on waste management and advocate for better coordination in garbage collection.
Jinja City Mayor Alton Okocha Kasolo had attributed garbage accumulation to the state of the landfill and inadequate transportation, emphasizing the need for contractors to invest more in garbage collection. Despite President Museveni’s directive in April, new cities in Uganda still grapple with garbage challenges, necessitating a comprehensive and coordinated approach to waste management.
