environment 23 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Jinja City Faces Waste Crisis Amidst Landfill Dispute
Jinja City is grappling with a mounting garbage disposal crisis as access to its primary landfill is blocked due to a land ownership dispute, prompting fears of widespread sanitation issues and health risks. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/jinja-faces-waste-disposal-crisis-as-landfill-dispute-persists-5605466
Jinja City is on the brink of a severe waste management crisis, with garbage collection services severely hampered. The city’s main landfill, located in Masese II, Danida Cell, has been made inaccessible by individuals who claim ownership and have reportedly acquired land titles for parts of the site.
This disruption has raised serious concerns among residents and waste collectors. Vinnie Ssemaganda, a local community leader and garbage collector, warned that without access to the landfill, waste will begin accumulating in streets, markets, and residential areas, posing significant public health and environmental threats. These risks include the spread of foul odors, blocked drainage systems, and an increase in breeding grounds for disease-carrying pests like flies and rodents.
Residents living near the landfill have also voiced their unease. Wilberforce Okware, the cell chairperson, highlighted the health and environmental dangers of having a waste disposal site in close proximity to homes and called for government intervention, including the potential relocation of the landfill.
City officials are aware of the escalating problem. Rajab Kito, Jinja City’s Public Relations Officer, confirmed that the city is actively challenging the land ownership claims in court. “The city is pursuing the legal process to establish ownership of the land and ensure that the landfill can continue serving its intended purpose,” Kito stated, emphasizing the city’s commitment to resolving the dispute and securing the waste management facility.
Jinja City generates an estimated 182.6 tonnes of solid waste daily, according to a survey by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development. The ongoing landfill dispute threatens to overwhelm the city’s sanitation infrastructure if not resolved promptly, potentially leading to increased collection costs and neglected waste in many parts of the city.