environment 27 July 2026 Nile Post
Mukono Residents Protest Delayed Garbage Collection After Community Clean-Up Drive
Residents of Mukono Town are expressing frustration as uncollected garbage piles up on streets for days following a community clean-up, attributing the delay to insufficient waste collection resources. Source: https://nilepost.co.ug/news/359533/mukono-residents-protest-delayed-garbage-collection-after-community-clean-up-drive
Following a community-driven clean-up exercise in Mukono Town, residents are now facing a new challenge: uncollected garbage. Heaps of waste have remained on several streets for three days, creating an unpleasant environment and hindering access in areas like Ntawo Road, Kitega, and Wantoni.
Frustrated by the situation, some residents of Nasuuti Village resorted to dumping garbage at the gate of the Mukono Central Division Chairperson, Bogere Nsensebuse, in a bid to draw attention to the escalating problem. They argued that while they had fulfilled their civic duty by cleaning their neighborhoods, the local government had failed in its responsibility to collect and dispose of the waste promptly.
Concerns have also been raised by food vendors, who report that the accumulating garbage near their establishments is emitting foul odors, deterring customers and posing a potential public health risk. Some vendors have indicated that they may reconsider their participation in future clean-up initiatives if timely waste disposal is not guaranteed.
Patrick Ssesanga, a local carpenter, attributed the issue to inadequate support for lower local governments, citing a lack of sufficient resources, particularly garbage collection trucks. This shortage, he explained, hampers the timely transportation of waste after community efforts.
While commending the residents’ participation in the clean-up, Gulu Ward Chairperson Hannington Kanyike warned that such delays could discourage future community involvement. Mukono Central Division Chairperson Bogere Nsensebuse, though condemning the act of dumping waste at her residence as inappropriate, assured residents that efforts were underway to clear the backlog. She highlighted that the division currently operates with only two garbage collection trucks, one of which serves Goma Division, thereby impacting collection efficiency across the municipality. Nsensebuse urged residents to remain patient as the trucks follow their scheduled routes.