Residents of Ntungamo Municipality are expressing growing concern over deteriorating drainage systems and poor sanitation, warning that stagnant wastewater, blocked trenches and overflowing sewage are exposing communities to disease outbreaks and environmental pollution.
A walk through several parts of the municipality reveals drainage channels clogged with plastic waste, used diapers, tyres and other garbage.
Many trenches are filled with stagnant dirty water emitting a strong stench that has become a daily reality for nearby residents, despite the health risks associated with such conditions.
Perez Rumanzi, a resident, said poor sanitation practices and improper waste disposal have significantly worsened the situation.
“Many people constructed buildings with sanitary facilities which are directed into the drainage channels that exist in town. You find floating fecal matter and urine in the main drainages because people are draining towards them,” Rumanzi said.
Residents also report that fecal matter regularly flows through some of the municipality’s main drainage channels, with little or no routine cleaning being undertaken. They say the problem becomes more severe at night when the foul smell spreads across affected communities.
“When you are passing through Ntungamo town at night, you sense a strong smell coming from these drainages and wetlands. It is not habitable,” Rumanzi added.
The sanitation crisis is particularly evident at the Ntungamo Taxi Park, where a damaged septic tank at an old sanitary facility has resulted in sewage spilling into areas frequented daily by traders, transport operators and passengers. The area is overwhelmed by a strong stench, with visible waste in parts of the park.
“We are in great fear. Every day they tell us Ebola, Ebola. This fecal matter might also bring us Ebola. This is disease because we inhale fecal matter,” said Steven Kamuhanda.
“We have made noise, but nothing has been done for long,” added Alex Basikana.
“There are shops here near this fecal matter. The septic tank got full. The Town Council and its leadership have failed to help us,” said Benson Turyamureeba.
Passengers using the taxi park are also affected, as taxis and buses continue to operate in an environment surrounded by blocked drainage channels and stagnant water. Traders and transport operators fear that if the situation persists, the area could become a hotspot for disease outbreaks, threatening both public health and business operations.
The problem is further compounded by reports that some residents continue to relieve themselves in nearby bushes close to wetlands, increasing the risk of environmental contamination and the spread of disease.
Apollo Twesigye, Chairperson of Ntungamo Taxi Park, warned that the health risks could worsen if immediate action is not taken.
“Now that it is shining, we are going to get sick. When it rains, the houseflies do not move, but now that it is dry, many germs arise,” Twesigye said.
Residents and taxi park authorities are now calling for urgent intervention, improved waste management systems and stronger public sensitization on proper sanitation practices to avert what they describe as a looming public health crisis.
Municipal authorities had not commented on the matter by the time of publication.
