Environmental Activists Urge Malaba Town Council to Relocate Garbage Dump Site for Better Waste Management

Environmental activists have urged the Malaba Town Council leadership to relocate the current garbage dumping site outside the town area to improve waste management. They argue that the current location has led town residents to litter indiscriminately, resulting in uncollected tons of garbage choking the border town.

Garbage management has been a significant hurdle to Malaba's development. Of the 7 tonnes of garbage generated daily, only about 4 tonnes are collected by the contracted town council company. This has not only left the town littered but has also blocked several drainage channels, causing flooding whenever it rains.

The situation has become dire, leaving the town in a dilemma. Town council authorities cite inadequate equipment and limited funds as the primary reasons for poor garbage disposal.

The town council has only two trucks to manage garbage, which are often out of service. This, coupled with low local revenue, makes timely garbage collection a challenge," explained Boniface Obbo, Principal Health Inspector at Malaba Town Council.

The business community also feels the impact of poor garbage disposal. "Whenever it rains, the entire town gets flooded, destroying our goods," said Peter Oduso, a local vendor.

However, Local Council One Chairperson Godfrey Delo places some blame on the vendors. "Most of the garbage is generated by vendors who throw waste all over the place, including in drainage channels," Mr. Delo said.

In response to the crisis, a group of environmental activists has launched an awareness campaign about poor garbage disposal in Malaba. They have cleaned up the town streets and blocked drainage channels, collecting tons of garbage.

Poor garbage disposal in Malaba is a serious issue. If we don't act now, the situation will soon get out of hand. I appeal to the residents, town council authorities, and the government to take urgent action," said Sister Prudence Nankunda, a medical missioner.

The activists suggest relocating the current dumping site to a location away from the main market to discourage vendors from littering. "We can't have a dumping site next to the main market. This encourages vendors to throw garbage carelessly," added Prosper Arineitwe, Senior Immigration Officer.

With poor garbage disposal contributing to air pollution and various respiratory diseases, the activists are calling for immediate action to address the issue