A major sanitation crackdown is underway in Namuwongo after the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) ordered residents and business operators occupying a key sewer corridor in Kasanvu Zone to leave within three days. The warning came after authorities uncovered worsening environmental conditions during a routine community clean-up exercise.
The inspection revealed overflowing sewage, poorly managed waste, and unhealthy living conditions in one of Kampala’s most densely populated informal settlements. Officials expressed concern that the situation had reached dangerous levels, posing a significant threat to public health and safety.
According to KCCA, several structures have been illegally established directly above a sewer line belonging to the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC). These makeshift premises accommodate a variety of businesses, including eateries, salons, retail shops, and workshops, making it difficult for maintenance teams to access the underground infrastructure.
Executive Director Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki said the encroachment has severely disrupted sewer maintenance operations, leading to repeated blockages and wastewater spills within the community. She warned that anyone who ignores the evacuation notice risks being forcefully removed once the grace period expires.
The city authority also discovered an unauthorized dumping site that had become a collection point for solid waste. Buzeki urged residents to embrace better waste disposal practices and work closely with KCCA to improve cleanliness and protect communities from sanitation-related diseases.
Deputy Executive Director Benon Kigenyi emphasized that maintaining a clean environment should be a shared responsibility. While pledging continued support through waste collection and sanitation services, he called on residents to play a more active role in keeping their neighborhoods safe and healthy.
Residents used the opportunity to highlight another pressing challenge—the lack of accessible and affordable toilet facilities. Community members explained that many households struggle to pay fees charged at available toilets, while some landlords have failed to provide sanitation facilities for tenants, contributing to cases of open defecation and improper waste disposal.
In response, Buzeki instructed local leaders to identify land where KCCA can establish three free public toilets. She confirmed that resources for the project are already available and said the new facilities would help improve hygiene standards and restore dignity to thousands of residents living in Kasanvu and surrounding communities.
