Authorities in Kisoro Municipality have raised concerns over the improper disposal of garbage, with plans to introduce a garbage fee as a solution to the growing problem.
The issue has escalated as municipal officials have accused some residents of hiring people, particularly the Batwa, to dump waste in corridors and other hidden places, leading to land, water, and air pollution.
Moses Acar, the Senior Health Inspector for Kisoro Municipality, expressed his dissatisfaction with residents who are paying the Batwa to dump garbage in unauthorized areas.
Acar issued a warning, stressing the importance of proper waste management and emphasizing that residents must contribute financially to maintaining cleanliness in the area.
Acar noted that locals have been neglecting a free garbage collection service offered by the municipality, opting instead to pay laborers to dispose of their waste improperly. “For a long time, we have been offering a free garbage collection service, but it seems residents are misusing this service by paying the Batwa to dump garbage in the streets and corridors, which has increased dirtiness in the municipality.
Therefore, we shall impose a garbage tax as a way to address this challenge,” Acar said.
Meanwhile, Daudi Lain, the Chairperson of LC1 Karumena Village, Central Ward, Kisoro Municipality, expressed his dissatisfaction with the authorities’ decision, calling the imposition of a garbage tax unfair and a form of double taxation.
“It’s unfair to impose a garbage tax when citizens are already being overtaxed by the government. How can you impose a garbage tax on residents? That is impossible,” Lain stated. He recommended that the municipal authorities hire more personnel for garbage collection to help maintain the town’s cleanliness.
