Traders in Kampala markets up in arms over heaps of garbage – The Kampala Report

Kampala market vendors have raised concerns about the heaps of garbage in the markets and surrounding areas.

The vendors in Owino,  Kalerwe and Kasubi markets say that due to the presence of uncollected garbage, they have failed to sell any food due to the smell of garbage. They add that the situation has become unbearable and customers have started shunning their businesses.

Emmanuel Kasule, a vendor in Owino market notes the situation is exacerbated by neighbouring zones of Kiganda and Kisenyi who dump garbage at the Owino market collection point.

“We have two stations here at Owino, but now the problem has been worsened by our neighbours who bring in their garbage at night and add to that of Owino. The area is full of unbearable odour around our businesses. This has started chasing away customers.

Kasule expressed the concern that since the Kiteezi disaster, garbage from the Owino market remained uncollected for days.

In Kasubi market, according to Ronald Zibu, the market chairperson, says the situation becomes unbearable when it rains saying rainwater washes the garbage and dumps it into the market posing a risk to people’s lives. He says a huge stench has developed near their stalls, leading to health risks.

John Mugambe, a Kalerwe Market chicken vendor, says that the garbage heaps have affected his sales, as customers are turned by the stench.

Daniel Nuwabine, spokesperson for the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), says that they have purchased large garbage bins that will be strategically placed along main roads and markets, while the city authority continues to explore alternative disposal sites for Kampala’s waste.

KCCA has been struggling to secure a garbage disposal site ever since the Kiteezi landfill collapsed killing more than 30 people.