KCCA intensifies Kampala clean-up as NEMA suspends wetland demolitions for one month

7 June 2026, 2:40 pm

By Okurmu Edwin Kisa

In an effort to improve sanitation and cleanliness in Kampala City, the Executive Director of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki, together with the Director of Public Health, Dr Sarah Zalwango, and other officials, yesterday joined residents in a clean-up exercise in Bukasa Parish, Kasanvu Zone, Makindye Division.

Addressing residents and local leaders, the KCCA Executive Director urged officials of the Uganda Railways Corporation to prevent residents from dumping waste on railway land and directed them to fence off the area.

“If residents continue dumping rubbish in this place, I will not deploy KCCA trucks to clean it up again. My colleagues at the Uganda Railways Corporation should not allow residents to dump waste here again. If NEMA finds rubbish on this land, you will be held responsible for creating an illegal dumpsite without the required clearance or licence. I therefore urge you to fence off this area to stop further dumping,” she said.

While railway authorities pledged to cooperate with KCCA, local leaders appealed to the authority to ensure timely garbage collection to prevent residents from disposing of waste indiscriminately.

Meanwhile, the Executive Director of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Dr Barirega Akankwasah, confirmed that the authority has temporarily suspended its demolition exercise in Kampala following a letter dated 1 June 2026 from the Lord Mayor, Mr Ronald Balimwezo.

In the letter, Mr Balimwezo requested NEMA to halt the demolition exercise to allow city leaders time to find a sustainable solution, including facilitating the voluntary relocation of people occupying wetlands.

Last week, NEMA demolished several structures in Lubigi Wetland, prompting the Prime Minister, Ms Robinah Nabbanja, to visit the affected residents. During her visit, she emphasised that the occupants were required to vacate the wetland.

In his response, Dr Barirega stated:

“Reference is made to your letter dated 1 June 2026 requesting that we temporarily suspend the restoration exercise in KCCA areas to allow time for the constitution of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee, which will coordinate with NEMA to ensure effective environmental management in the city. This is to inform you that we have suspended the exercise for one month.”

He explained that the suspension is intended to give wetland encroachers time to vacate peacefully, although NEMA will continue mapping newly encroached areas.

“Routine enforcement against re-encroachment of restored areas and any new encroachment will continue during this period. We count on you and the entire city leadership to mobilise all people occupying sensitive ecosystems to vacate voluntarily so that we can restore the environment and make Kampala green again,” the letter concluded.