By Moses Sentamu
Entebbe Municipal Council is under scrutiny for failing to adhere to environmental regulations at its Nkumba Ward dump site, originally intended for a composting facility with a leachate collection system to protect nearby fragile ecosystems, including Lake Victoria.
An Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) certificate was issued by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) for treating municipal solid waste through aerobic composting.
However, inspections revealed that the site operates as an unregulated dump without leachate or gas collection systems, and the planned composting facility and landfill cells have not been established.
The unchecked dumping has led to severe environmental and health concerns. Garbage piles in a nearby swamp and along the shores of Lake Victoria, with leachate seeping into the water, posing a pollution risk to the lake’s ecosystem.
Local residents report a hazardous smell driving some to leave the area, describing the situation as an eyesore and a public health threat.
On August 24, 2024, the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and Entebbe leaders agreed to relocate waste disposal from Nkumba to Menvu in Nansana, Wakiso District. Despite this agreement, garbage trucks from Kampala have allegedly continued dumping at Nkumba, exacerbating the crisis.
Entebbe Municipality’s Deputy Mayor, Charles Kabwama, acknowledged NEMA’s directive to develop the site with a leachate collection system within three months to prevent land, water, and air pollution. However, he cited a lack of funds as a major barrier to implementing these improvements.
“As the Municipal council, we don’t have enough funds to implement the guidance. Not only that also KCCA has failed to fulfil their commitment they promised us. They promised us about Shs 300 million.”
Kabwama also urged KCCA to honor its commitment to provide an inconvenience fee to the municipal council for the continued dumping.
Naomi Namara Karekaho, the NEMA’s Corporate Communications Manager, emphasized that the ESIA certificate was issued specifically for composting, not unregulated dumping, and stressed the need for compliance to protect the environment.
NEMA issued official guidance to Entebbe Municipal Council to redesign the Nkumba site with proper leachate and gas collection systems to safeguard the surrounding ecosystem. As the council grapples with financial constraints and ongoing dumping, urgent action is needed to address this growing environmental and public health crisis.
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