Busia Municipality is grappling with a deepening sanitation crisis as the rainy season sets in, with local leaders raising alarm over a looming public health disaster fueled by overflowing latrines and poor waste disposal practices.
Uganda’s second busiest border entry point, has witnessed a sharp rise in population due to increased cross-border trade.
According to the 2024 national census, the population has surged from over 54,000 in 2014 to over 60,000 across its two divisions and 24 cells. However, the sanitation infrastructure has failed to keep pace with this growth.
In many parts of the municipality, particularly in densely populated areas like Marach Cell, multiple households are forced to share a single pit latrine which local authorities say is driving residents to resort to unsafe waste disposal methods.
“We have almost 50 households sharing one latrine here,” said Mona Wandera, the area local chairperson.
“Due to the number, some people end up disposing of waste in plastic bags and dumping it into drainage channels.”
Busia Municipality lacks a centralized sewerage system, making waste management not only difficult but also unaffordable for many residents.
This as latrine emptying costs range between Shs700,000 to Shs1 million, a price most households cannot afford.
“The vehicles charge locals between Shs700,000 and Shs1 million per latrine, yet after just two days, it fills up again,” lamented Busia Mayor Sadiq Amin. “Our people can’t afford that.”
Municipal health officials warn that the practice of dumping waste into drainage channels becomes even more rampant during the rainy season, further heightening the risk of disease outbreaks.
“Those who can’t afford to hire vehicles from Tororo are forced to empty their sewage into drainage channels,” explained Moses Okurut, the Principal Health Inspector for Busia Municipal Council.
“This is why we always experience cholera outbreaks in this district during the rainy season. Waste ends up in water bodies and the environment, putting communities at risk.”
In response to the crisis, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Busia, Grace Kanuna, has revealed that the government has included the construction of a sewerage system in the upcoming development plans.
“Government’s role is to protect lives and property,” said Kanuna.
“Plans are already in place to address poor sanitation in the Municipality. It is already included in the budget, and we ask the public to be patient.”
Despite the promise of long-term infrastructure improvements, leaders are calling for immediate interventions to protect public health, especially as heavy rains threaten to exacerbate the crisis.
With visible waste flowing through drainage systems and no affordable alternative in sight, residents of Busia Municipality face the harsh reality of a preventable health catastrophe unless urgent action is taken.