Local leaders in Muduuma Sub County, Mpigi District, have declared their willingness to work with the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) to ensure that the new Buyala Waste Management Facility benefits the community while safeguarding public health and the environment.
The announcement came during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Muduuma Sub County headquarters on Tuesday, amid concerns from residents over the early dumping of waste before community consultations took place.
“We are not against KCCA. We only want to collaborate,” said Musa Kakembo, the LCIII Chairperson of Muduuma. “We want the landfill to benefit the people of Muduuma and minimize the negatives that come with such a project.”
Buyala, one of the locations of the new landfill, became a focal point after operations began hastily due to the collapse of the Kiteezi landfill, Kampala’s main waste site.
Dr. Sarah Zalwango, KCCA’s Director for Public Health and Environment, said the emergency forced the authority to begin using the facility before formal engagement with the host community. “We had to act quickly, which is why we started before meeting the community. But we are committed to managing the site properly and working with you,” she told residents.
Dr. Zalwango assured the public that the site would be managed under strict environmental and health regulations, positioning it as an opportunity for growth rather than a burden.
James Bond Kunobere, KCCA’s Acting Deputy Director for Solid Waste Management, said the authority plans to recycle at least 95 percent of the waste delivered to the facility and attract investors to establish recycling and fertilizer plants. He projected the creation of over 10,000 jobs, with priority given to residents of Mpigi District.
“Garbage is gold if handled well. If not, it becomes a danger. But we are going to handle it well,” Kunobere said, emphasizing that the landfill would serve the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area and meet high operational standards.
To address dust from garbage trucks, KCCA has deployed a water bowser and announced plans to upgrade roads, including the Kisamula–Malume route. Feasibility studies are underway to provide additional infrastructure such as lighting, clean water, and improved security.
Local leaders also raised immediate concerns. Hamis Mutyaba, councilor for Buyala, requested a public toilet in the trading center, which has seen a population surge due to the project. Julian Namubiru, an environmental health officer, called for continuous monitoring of the landfill’s environmental and health impact.
In response, KCCA pledged to hold regular community meetings and has deployed a liaison officer to improve communication and transparency between the authority and residents.
