Bedbugs invade Kampala slums, KCCA earmarks sh50m to address menace
The worst-hit area affected by the blood-sucking insects is Kawempe-Kirokole Zone in Kawempe Division, according to the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) Kawempe coordinator, Henry Mpiima.
KCCA workers collecting garbage dumped near the drainage channel at Tuula Road during the Weyonje community clean-up exercise at Kawempe Mbogo in Kampala. (Photos by Francis Emorut)
________________
Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has committed sh50 million to tackle bedbugs that slum dwellers are grappling with in the five Divisions of the city.
The move to address the bedbugs’ threat was revealed by the KCCA, executive director, Hajat Sharifah Buzeki, in response to concerns raised by the community leaders during the Weyonje community clean-up exercise at Kawempe Mbogo in Kawempe Division on Saturday, July 11.
“We have dedicated a budget for spraying bedbugs. This year we shall intensify spraying bedbugs, and I appeal to the community leaders to list the areas affected by the bedbugs in the five divisions of Kampala city,” Buzeki said, drawing applause from the residents, who have suffered pain inflicted by the bedbugs.
The worst-hit area affected by the blood-sucking insects is Kawempe-Kirokole Zone in Kawempe Division, according to the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) Kawempe coordinator, Henry Mpiima.
“I appeal to the KCCA executive director (Buzeki) to solve the problem of bedbugs that has hit Kawempe Kirokole Zone and the whole of Kampala because the residents are suffering,” Mpiima said.
Buzeki called on the slum dwellers to maintain good hygiene as KCCA workers embark on the bedbugs spraying exercise in the five city divisions.
The Executive Director of KCCA, Hajat Sharifah Buzeki (left) addressing shopkeepers during the Weyonje community clean-up exercise at Kawempe Mbogo in Kampala.
According to the director of public health at KCCA, Dr Sarah Zalwango, the sh50m has been set aside to purchase drugs to spray the bedbugs.
She noted that the spraying gadgets are already in place and the authority will use its workers to embark on the spraying in the areas affected by bedbugs.
Buzeki cautioned city residents against littering garbage on the roadsides and dumping it in drainage channels, saying the enforcement team will act against the culprits.
Buzeki commended the community leaders for mobilising residents and participating in the clean-up exercise.
On the concern of Kiyanja and Lubigi drainage channels, which flood during rainy seasons, Buzeki told residents that the authority is going to work on them in phases.
Other issues raised by the community leaders were youth unemployment and shortage of trucks to collect garbage.
In her response, Buzeki told the residents that the authority was going to place adverts for jobs in different media so that the youth can apply. She asked the Government for more funds to purchase more garbage trucks.
The Weyonje community clean-up exercise covered areas of Kawempe Mbogo, including Ketifalawo, Kirokole, Kiiza, Kisowera and Kalule zones.
The exercise involved toilet emptying, waste sorting sensitisation, garbage collection, health education and a medical camp.
It attracted participants from PLU, Uganda Police Force, Uganda Peoples Defence Force, 7 Hills and Kawempe community SACCO (Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisation), among others.
During the clean-up exercise, pupils from Kawempe Church of Uganda Primary School displayed banners with sensitisation messages against reckless garbage dumping. Some of the banners had inscriptions reading; “don’t throw rubbish in drainages,” and “conserve our environment.”
Dr Godfrey Rwakabale, the town clerk of Kawempe Division, informed the executive director and her team that Kirokole Zone has the largest quantity of garbage and appealed for more garbage collection trucks.