Uncontrolled dumping threatens public health in Gulu

Gulu, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Poor garbage disposal continues to pose a public health threat to residents in Gulu city, as households use the cover of darkness to drag sacks of filth on the streets and into drainage channels.

Many of the roadside trash bins that were constructed through the World Bank-funded Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) project have been abandoned, and others overflowing with heaps of garbage, emitting a foul stench in the neighborhood.

Messy and abandoned landfills are common along Odur Min Odyek road, Alokolum road, Sir Samuel Baker road among others in Gulu West Division, and Tank road, Commercial road, Lumumba Avenue and Ring road in Gulu East Division. Also areas around Cereleno market, Cuk Wilobo, Awere playground, Layibi market and Gulu Central market and Kasubi market have continued to harbor huge filthy heaps of poorly disposed off garbage.

Felix Omona, a public health consultant disclosed to URN that short-term exposures to such elevated levels of emissions in the air can cause coughing, irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, nausea, and breathing difficulties among others.

But Samuel Oduny, a resident of Gulu says that garbage management has continued to compromise public health and requires the new leaders to jointly seek a lasting solution.

Patrick Oola Lumumba, the Gulu West Division Mayor told URN in an interview that the management of garbage has become challenging due to a shortage of funds. Lumumba explained that under the new directive from the Ministry of Finance, they are required to bank all the money collected in tax with Bank of Uganda which can only be withdrawn after reaching a certain threshold.

Since attaining a city status in July 2020, the division authorities including the City Mayor Alfred Okwonga who were elected during the January general polls pledged to prioritize garbage management but have been frustrated by financial constraints.

Recently,  Gulu City Council Health Department shared a report indicating that only 10 per cent of the 137 tons of solid waste produced daily in the city is collected and properly disposed off.

In May this year, Gulu City Council reached an agreement worth 3.5 billion with the German Development Corporation for the construction of a garbage site measuring seven hectares in Gulu East Division. The project contract will be implemented by Geomax Engineering Company Ltd to reduce pollution.

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URN