Jinja City is grappling with a growing garbage crisis, with heaps of uncollected waste accumulating on streets over the past two weeks.
The crisis has raised alarm among residents, traders, and city authorities.
The problem is most pronounced around Jinja Central Market and the central business district, where daily waste volumes are highest.
The uncollected garbage has created an unpleasant environment and potential public health risks.
Sources within the city administration link the crisis to a dispute over the Masese landfill, Jinja’s primary waste disposal site.
The land is reportedly contested between Jinja City Council and God’s Will Agencies Ltd, owned by a prominent local businessman.
The dispute stems from a land swap allegedly conducted by God’s Will Agencies with a parcel in Musima, a Jinja suburb.
The State House Anti-Corruption Unit had previously arraigned the then Deputy Town Clerk, Jofram Waiduba, and representatives of God’s Will Agencies Ltd before the Anti-Corruption Court over irregularities in the sale of the landfill land.
Earlier this month, the court cleared Waiduba of any wrongdoing.
Following the court decision, proprietors of God’s Will Agencies Ltd reportedly asserted that the landfill land was legally acquired and restricted Jinja City Council from accessing it.
Jinja City Council spokesperson Raja Kito, however, dismissed claims linking the garbage crisis to the land dispute. He said the main challenge is poor access roads to the landfill.
“When it rains, the roads become very slippery and garbage trucks cannot reach the top of the landfill. We are currently securing bulldozers to work on the roads and improve access,” Kito said.
The waste management challenge coincides with rising waste generation due to population growth and commercial activity.
According to a 2023 Waste Characterisation and Composition Survey by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, Jinja generates about 154 tons of waste daily.
Markets contribute 19 tons, industries 19.5 tons, and institutions such as schools and barracks 10.2 tons. The average per capita solid waste generation is approximately 0.67 kilograms per person per day.
Currently, only about 59 tons of the daily 154 tons of waste are disposed of at the Masese landfill.
The city’s population, estimated at 290,000 according to the 2024 National Housing and Population Census, continues to grow, intensifying pressure on waste management systems.
Residents and traders are urging city authorities to act swiftly to prevent the situation from escalating into a serious public health hazard.
City officials say efforts are underway to restore access to the landfill and normalize waste collection across Jinja.