NEMA, Entebbe Leaders Under Spotlight Over Illegal Garbage Dumping in Nkumba

Garbage is reportedly being dumped in a swamp and along the shores of Lake Victoria, creating both an eyesore and a health hazard.

A toxic scandal has erupted in Nkumba-Bukolwa, Katabi Town Council, Wakiso District, with residents accusing the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) and Entebbe Municipal Council leaders of ignoring illegal garbage dumping in the area.

Garbage is reportedly being dumped in a swamp and along the shores of Lake Victoria, creating both an eyesore and a health hazard.

Toxic leachate from the waste flows into the lake, further exacerbating the problem.

Locals say the situation has become so dire that some residents are leaving the area due to the unbearable stench.

According to environmental activist Gracious Mugabi Ahimbisibwe, both NEMA and Entebbe Municipal officials are aware of the crisis but have chosen to remain silent.

"The problem in Nkumba is intentional because leaders have been soliciting money from garbage truck owners. They have failed to protect the lives of people by allowing these trucks to dump waste here," Mugabi said.

Background

On August 24, the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and Entebbe leaders agreed to relocate garbage dumping from Nkumba to Menvu in Nansana, Wakiso District.

However, despite this agreement, garbage trucks from Kampala allegedly continue to dump waste in Nkumba, worsening the situation.

Livingstone Drake, a resident of Nkumba, described the situation as unbearable.

"When it rains, we can't sleep. There's a terrible smell from the garbage, and we see poisonous leachate flowing toward the lake. I don’t know if NEMA is aware of what’s happening here," Drake lamented.

Katabi Town Council Chairperson Ronald Kalema Bassamulekele revealed that the council had written to NEMA, which directed Entebbe Municipality to address the issue.

Kalema urged residents to cooperate and report anyone soliciting money from garbage truck operators.

Entebbe Municipality Mayor Fabrice Rulinda stated that NEMA had instructed the council to develop the Nkumba dumping site with a leachate collection system to prevent pollution of nearby ecosystems.

"We’ve been cautioned to handle the dumping site within three months. We are also targeting investors to come and develop this place," Rulinda said.

Naomi Namara Karekaho, NEMA’s Corporate Communications Manager, explained that Entebbe Municipal Council had been issued an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) certificate for treating municipal solid waste through composting.

"Environmental compliance inspections revealed non-compliances, and NEMA has issued official guidance to Entebbe Municipal Council to improve the site design, collect all leachate, and prevent land, water, and air pollution," Karekaho stated.