A claim by Captain Mike Mukula referring to Soroti as the cleanest city in Uganda is misleading.
The former Member of Parliament for Soroti Municipality and state minister for health made the claim on his X(Formerly Twitter) channel that Soroti City is officially the cleanest city in Uganda.
But is Soroti City the cleanest city in Uganda? The DisMis Desk Investigated;
Captain Mike Mukula's assertion that Soroti is the cleanest city in Uganda has raised questions, particularly given the current state of waste management in the city. We’ve examined available reports and data to assess the validity of this claim.
Soroti has been historically recognized for its urban management, especially in terms of waste disposal. For a time, it was celebrated as one of the cleanest towns in Uganda due to its effective waste management systems. However, in recent years, the city has faced mounting challenges that have jeopardized its reputation for cleanliness. These issues include limited resources for waste collection and inefficiencies in the existing waste management infrastructure.
Fact-Check
Waste Collection Challenges
Soroti produces an average of 60 tons of garbage daily but is only able to collect about 10 tons per day, according to a 2022 report. This shortfall in waste collection—due to insufficient trucks and inadequate funding—highlights ongoing issues with waste management.
Inadequate Infrastructure and Funding
A recent assessment report on Soroti District identified several challenges; Inadequate funding for waste collection, Limited infrastructure for efficient garbage collection and Poor waste disposal practices, including open dumping and manual waste recycling
These issues are compounded by rapid urbanization and a lack of community awareness, making it difficult to manage waste effectively in the city.
Efforts to Address the Problem
In response to the growing waste management crisis, the Physical Planning Amendment Act of 2020 was passed, aiming to address environmental cleanliness. However, the law's effectiveness in resolving the city's waste management challenges remains to be seen.
Comparison with Other Cities
While Soroti grapples with waste management, other towns in Uganda, such as Kasese, have emerged as better examples of urban cleanliness. Kasese has recently overtaken Fort Portal in terms of cleanliness, thanks to efforts in pollution control, clean water access, and effective waste management.
Verdict: False
The claim that Soroti is the cleanest city in Uganda is false based on current evidence. While Soroti was once recognized for its waste management systems, it is now facing significant challenges that prevent it from maintaining this reputation. Insufficient resources, outdated infrastructure, and a lack of effective waste management practices have left the city struggling to keep up with its cleanliness goals.
While the introduction of the Physical Planning Amendment Act of 2020 shows a commitment to addressing the problem along with recent initiatives to clean up the city, it is clear that Soroti's cleanliness is not currently at the level suggested by Captain Mukula.
