Environmental activists in Malaba are raising concerns over the current location of the town’s garbage dumping site and have called upon the leadership of Malaba Town Council to relocate it outside the town area.
The activists argue that the proximity of the site has led town dwellers to take advantage of it, resulting in an overwhelming accumulation of uncollected garbage that is suffocating the border town.
Garbage management has been a persistent obstacle to the development of Malaba. Out of the daily 7 tonnes of garbage generated, only about 4 tonnes are collected by the contracted town council company.
This has caused not only widespread littering but also the blocking of numerous drainage channels, leading to town-wide flooding whenever rainfall occurs.
The dire situation has left Malaba, the busiest border town, in a state of dilemma. Town council authorities attribute the poor garbage disposal to inadequate equipment and meager funds. Boniface Obbo, the principal health inspector at Malaba Town Council, highlights the challenge of timely garbage collection due to the council’s limited resources, including just two trucks that are often out of service.
While the town council authorities cite financial constraints, the business community argues that the poor garbage disposal has significantly affected their operations.
Vendors like Peter Oduso express their frustration, as the flooding caused by blocked drainage channels often results in the destruction of their goods.
Godfrey Delo, the Local Council one chairperson, places blame on the vendors for the stench, stating that most of the garbage is generated by them and they often dispose of waste improperly, including in drainage channels.
In response to the mounting garbage crisis, a group of environmental activists has united to raise awareness about the issue in Malaba. They have taken matters into their own hands by organizing clean-up campaigns, targeting the town’s streets and blocked drainage channels, and collecting tons of garbage.
Sister Prudence Nankunda, a medical missioner and member of the activist group, emphasizes the seriousness of the poor garbage disposal situation in Malaba. She appeals to the population of Malaba, the town council authorities, and the government to take immediate action before the situation spirals out of control.
Overwhelmed by the extent of the garbage problem, the activists propose the relocation of the current dumping site. They argue that having a dumping site right next to the main market encourages vendors to continue disposing of garbage haphazardly.
Prosper Arineitwe, a senior immigration officer and member of the activist group, adds his voice to the call for urgent action.
The activists highlight that poor garbage disposal is a significant cause of air pollution, leading to various respiratory diseases and other adverse health effects.
They stress the need for immediate attention to combat these issues and ensure a cleaner and healthier environment for the residents of Malaba.