Plastic waste clogging drains in Patongo town council

30 September 2025, 10:09 PM

By Freeman Canogura

Plastic waste is choking drainage systems in Patongo Town Council, with residents warning of rising health and flooding risks as the rainy season continues.

Around Oliga Market in Oliga Ward, open drains are clogged with plastic bottles, polythene bags, and discarded packaging. Vendor Abalo Jane, 40, said most traders dump waste in the open because there are no bins or collection points nearby. She explained that on Tuesday market days, the garbage piles up quickly and washes into roadside channels.

In Oporot South Ward, resident Ayaa Jennifer, a mother of four, said stagnant water near her home has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. She noted that her family spends much of their income on malaria treatment and fears the problem will worsen during the rainy season.

Bosco Oyugi, 28, a resident of Old Patongo and vice chairperson of the Patongo Boda Boda Association, said plastics should be treated as a resource rather than waste. He believes young people could recycle bottles and polythene into useful products if given training and start-up support. According to him, this would reduce pollution while creating jobs for unemployed youth.

Patongo Town Council Mayor Joseph Komakech acknowledged the crisis, saying the council lacks garbage trucks and bins due to limited funding. He revealed that a bylaw is being drafted to penalise illegal dumping and promote recycling.

The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) estimates that Uganda generates 600 tonnes of plastic waste daily, with less than five per cent recycled. Environmentalists warn that unless towns like Patongo adopt stricter waste controls, plastics will worsen flooding, contaminate water sources, and damage soils for future generations.