Buzeki vows to strengthen cleaning workforce in Rubaga division

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The executive director of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Sharifah Buzeki, has said the agency will recruit additional cleaners after Rubaga division reported a significant shortage.

She noted that the division’s road network has expanded from 30 kilometres to 48 kilometres, adding that she plans to discuss the matter with officials from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.

Buzeki was responding to concerns raised by community leaders from Kironde Zone, Sembule B in Kabowa parish, who said the number of KCCA cleaners had not kept pace with the expansion of road networks, and that poor waste disposal by residents had worsened the situation.

Kampala Capital City Authority workers conduct a cleaning exercise along Kalungi Bridge Road at Kironde Zone, Sembule B in Rubaga Division, Kampala on December 6, 2025. (Photo by Francis Emorut)

According to Sulaiman Ssempa, the area’s health community leader, residents frequently litter garbage along the expanded roads, making it difficult for the few cleaners to manage the workload.

“The road networks are now 48km in Rubaga division; we need more KCCA cleaners,” Ssempa said.

He added that the shortage has been compounded by increased waste on the roads and the blockage of drainage channels, creating conditions that could lead to cholera outbreaks.

Ssempa also noted that garbage trucks sometimes take several days before collecting waste, further aggravating the problem.

Buzeki responded: “Your concerns are valid. We shall meet the Ministry of Finance to increase workers.”

She listed the Government-funded roads completed between 2020 and 2025 as:

Completed (6.26 km): Kayanja Road (1.16 km), Nabulagala Road (1.6 km), Lubiri Ring Road (3.5 km)

Kampala City Roads Rehabilitation Project (KCRRP) completed roads: Muteesa I Road (2.02 km), Old Mubende Road (2.1 km), Kigala Road (1.1 km), Lubaga/Nabunya/Canon Apollo Kivebulaya Road (0.3 km), Bulange Junction (0.3 km), Kayemba Road (1.3 km).

Ongoing KCRRP roads: Masiro Road (2.1 km), Sentema Road (10.1 km), Nsambya Road/Hanlon Road Junction (0.52 km), Kiwunya Drainage Channel.

Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA) project ongoing works: Ntake Road/Roadmaster Link (1.05 km), Nkula Road (0.22 km), Kabaka’s Lake Road (0.41 km), Mapeera Road (1.6 km), totalling 2.23 km.

Kampala Institutional and Infrastructure Development Project (KIIDP2) roads: Bakuli–Nakulabye–Kasubi Road (2.3 km), Kabuusu–Kitebi–Lweza Road (14.8 km), Kasubi Junction (0.85 km).

She also informed residents that Busega Market has been completed with 2,000 workspaces provided.

Buzeki made the remarks during the launch of the Weyonje Sanitation Challenge 2025 in Rubaga Division on December 6, 2025.

The Weyonje Sanitation Challenge aims to strengthen community ownership of sanitation while recognising outstanding local efforts. It targets slum dwellers and encourages sustained behavioural change, focusing on long-term waste management rather than occasional clean-up campaigns.

She urged community members to separate solid and liquid waste during disposal into appropriate sacs and skips.

Buzeki handed over skips to community leaders and warned that KCCA will take action against individuals who dump garbage into drainage channels.

The executive director praised Rubaga division for remitting sh12b in taxes to the authority, surpassing its sh10b target.

Children fetching water from a spring at Kironde Zone, Kabowa Parish in Rubaga Division, Kampala on Saturday December 6, 2025. The leaders of the area appealed to Kampala Capital City Authority to provide safe clean water for the community. (Photo by Francis Emorut)

The town clerk of Central division, Douglas Nsubuga, also agreed on the need for more cleaners to maintain the growing number of roads. He explained that existing roads were constructed with support from the African Development Bank.

Nsubuga urged residents to prioritise hygiene to reduce the disease burden.

“Do what you can, and KCCA will give you a hand,” Nsubuga said.

Community leaders also raised concerns about flooding, poor road designs, a lack of public toilets, and limited access to safe water points, appealing for KCCA’s intervention to prevent cholera outbreaks.

Patrick Male, the area councillor, decried what he described as “flying toilets”, referring to human faeces left in plastic bags and discarded on roads or in drainage channels.

“We have a big challenge of flying toilets,” Male stated.

Adam Bule, who oversees health in Buganda kingdom, appealed to KCCA to increase community sensitisation on waste disposal and management.

A visit by New Vision found children fetching water from springs near blocked drainage channels.

The Weyonje campaign is supported by Rubaga Vision SACCO, the Kingdom of Buganda, Towa Uchafu Na Nusu, 7Hills, Fundoo, Sharecare Services, Grameen Women’s Initiative and other partners.

According to Dr Sarah Zalwango, KCCA’s director of public health, videos will be uploaded on social media platforms for the public to vote for the cleanest city division by December 20 this year.

Judges will base their assessment on innovative hygiene practices and recycling initiatives in schools, working towards becoming model villages.