Poor sanitation exposes Kampala residents to disease

What the report says

Kampala residents are being warned that poor waste disposal and blocked drainage channels are increasing the risk of preventable disease and flooding, according to Watchdog Uganda. The report says the concerns were raised during a city-centre cleaning exercise involving Jubilee Insurance Uganda staff and Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) officials.

Jubilee Insurance Uganda chief executive officer Eugine Mutekhele said regular cleaning and better waste management are important for reducing illnesses, especially in lower-income areas that tend to be hit hardest by sanitation problems. He said preventive action is preferable to waiting to treat people after they fall sick. The cleanup covered several streets, starting at Jubilee Insurance’s head offices on Kimathi Avenue and moving through Parliament Avenue, Kampala Road, Nasser Road, Rosebury and Dastur Street.

The article also quotes KCCA councillor Sheila Komugisha, who said poor sanitation continues to expose residents to avoidable disease, and KCCA finance and administration executive secretary Eliazar Balwaine, who said some communities want to help but lack basic tools. KCCA officials said participation in the monthly cleaning programme has not been broad enough and appealed for more support from businesses and residents.

At the end of the exercise, Jubilee Insurance donated equipment used during the cleanup to KCCA. The report places the issue in the wider context of Kampala’s ongoing sanitation challenges, where drainage blockage, litter and limited community participation can worsen both public health risks and flooding.