Fort Portal businesses ordered to install bins amid rising climate risks

19 March 2026, 15:59

Photo: Residents drive through a flooded Rukidi III street in Fort Portal City, following a heavy down pour.

Fort Portal City has ordered businesses to install garbage bins after recent flooding exposed how poor waste disposal and clogged drainage are worsening environmental degradation and increasing vulnerability to climate change

Claire Nayebare

Authorities in Fort Portal City have intensified efforts to address growing environmental concerns by mandating that all businesses and commercial establishments immediately install authorized garbage bins. This directive is part of the possible strategies to combat poor waste management practices that are increasingly contributing to urban flooding and climate-related vulnerabilities.

The move follows heavy rains last weeks that left several streets in Fort Portal, like RukidI III flooded, some thing that environmental observers linked the flooding to clogged drainage systems, largely caused by indiscriminate disposal of plastics and polythene materials. Blocked trenches prevented the smooth flow of water, turning what could have been manageable rainfall into a disruptive urban flood event.

Environmental degradation

Environmental activists warn that such incidents are no longer isolated. Martin Tusiime, a Fort Portal resident and environmental advocate, emphasized that the flooding reflects a deeper pattern of environmental degradation. He noted that continued improper waste disposal not only pollutes the city but also worsens the effects of climate change, as extreme weather events like heavy rainfall become more frequent and intense. Without behavioral change, he cautioned, such disasters are likely to recur.

In response, Fort Portal City Council has taken decisive action. In a letter dated March 5, 2026, addressed to all business operators and copied to key city authorities including the Resident City Commissioner, the City Mayor, division town clerks, division mayors, and city police commanders Town Clerk Mr. Ocen Ambrose stressed the urgent need for compliance. He directed all shopkeepers, business owners, and supermarket operators to acquire and properly use litter and garbage bins without delay.

The directive aligns with Ugandan public health regulations, which require all businesses to provide adequate waste disposal facilities and ensure daily proper waste management.

Photo: Courtesy- A sample of the recommended garbage bins in Fort Portal city

Beyond regulatory compliance, the initiative is positioned as a climate resilience measure aimed at reducing environmental pollution, protecting drainage infrastructure, and mitigating the impacts of increasingly erratic weather patterns.

Mr. Ambrose set March 14, 2026, as the deadline for compliance, with enforcement measures scheduled to begin on March 16, 2026. City authorities will carry out inspections, and businesses that fail to meet the requirements risk closure and fines in accordance with the law.

Officials say the initiative reflects Fort Portal’s renewed commitment to environmental sustainability and public health. Situated in the Rwenzori region, the city has long been celebrated for its cleanliness and natural beauty.

It is for this reason that Leaders now hope that stricter waste management practices will not only restore its reputation as “the cleanest town” in Uganda but also strengthen its ability to withstand the growing pressures of climate change, ensuring it remains a safe and attractive destination for residents and visitors alike.