Littering and indiscriminate dumping: A growing threat

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OPINION

By Olivia Wendy Nabusaano

A clean environment is everyone's responsibility

Across towns and villages in Uganda, piles of uncollected rubbish, plastic bottles scattered along roadsides and open dumping grounds have become a familiar sight. What may appear to some as a small act of carelessness - throwing a small piece of paper on the street or tossing a bottle into a ditch has grown into a nationwide challenge with serious consequences.

Littering and indiscriminate dumping have not only damaged the beauty of our surroundings but have also posed serious health risks by contaminating water, soil, and air. Poor waste management practices have led to the proliferation of disease-carrying pests, waterborne illnesses, and even flooding in urban areas of Kampala City and the suburbs during rainy seasons due to blocked drainage systems, which have contributed to outbreaks of diseases such as cholera, typhoid and malaria.

The problem extends beyond health. Non-biodegradable waste, especially plastics, pollutes soil and water bodies, harming livestock, fish and other wildlife. Economically, communities lose opportunities because dirty streets and polluted environments discourage tourism, reduce property values and increase the cost of waste management.

Littering is an untidy habit that undermines public health, environmental sustainability and economic development. One of the major causes of this problem is public negligence and a lack of awareness about proper waste disposal. In some cases, inadequate infrastructure for waste collection encourages people to dispose off garbage in open spaces, rivers and most commonly, streets.

Several measures have been put in place to curb the rising levels of littering and dumping. Some of which include: recycling, efficient waste collection through regular garbage collection services and public awareness campaigns.

However, these measures alone cannot solve the problem. The government ought to enforce strict anti-littering laws and regulations, similar to those in many developed countries, backed by heavy fines and penalties for individuals caught littering or dumping waste illegally. Waste bins should be strategically placed along roadsides and highways to make proper disposal more convenient.

Local authorities should identify and gazette more areas as designated landfills and ensure that waste disposal sites are accessible. Kampala’s primary waste disposal site is the “Kiteezi Landfill” situated in Nangabo sub-county, Wakiso district, about 13 kilometres from the centre of Kampala. With over 1,500 to 2,500 tonnes of waste daily, the landfill collapsed in August 2024 which resulting in loss of life, property damage, and widespread displacement.

This serves as a wake-up call; there is an urgent need for the government to gazette additional areas as official landfills to accommodate growing waste volumes.

Ultimately, protecting our environment is not just the duty of authorities; it is a responsibility we all share.  Every individual has a role to play. Together, we can create cleaner, safer, and healthier communities.

The writer is a Master of Business Administration Student; Makerere University Business School