Mbarara city authorities shut hotel over illegal wastewater discharge
The closure and arrest followed a notice issued on March 24, 2025, by the city's South Division health officer, instructing the hotel director, Turyatemba Medard, to rectify the issue or face closure.
Sky Light Hotel along Rwizi Lane in Kihindi Cell, Kakoba ward in Mbarara City South Division, which was closed by Mbarara City Council Law enforcement officials on Monday. It was closed over illegal discharge of waste water in a public road drainage channel. (Photos by Fred Turyakira)
By Fred Turyakira
Journalists @New Vision
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Mbarara City Council health and law enforcement officers have closed Sky Light Hotel on Rwizi Lane in Kihindi Cell, Kakoba ward, Mbarara City South Division, over the alleged illegal discharge of hazardous wastewater into a public drainage channel.
The operation to close the hotel was led by Samuel Wori Aisu, the health officer for Mbarara City South Division, and Andrew Abaine Taremwa, the division’s law enforcement officer, on Monday.
The hotel’s manager, Muyambi Aggrey, was also arrested for defying a council directive on proper wastewater disposal. Authorities say the hotel has been channeling wastewater into a public drainage system despite repeated warnings.
The closure and arrest followed a notice issued on March 24, 2025, by the city's South Division health officer, instructing the hotel director, Turyatemba Medard, to rectify the issue or face closure.
This directive followed an earlier notice by the division’s town clerk, Nelson Muhangi, in July 2023, ordering the hotel to construct a septic tank or soakaway pit for wastewater collection, maintain a clean environment, and cease illegal discharge.
Muhangi's notice warned that failure to comply within the specified period would lead to legal action. However, the hotel management failed to take corrective measures.
"You are aware that on or about July 12, 2023, an inspection was conducted on Sky Light Hotel, and it was found that your facility illegally discharges noxious wastewater into the public road drainage channel, in violation of sections 50 and 53(e) of the Public Health Act, CAP.310, and section 96(1) & (2) of the National Environment Act, CAP.181," the latest notice read.
Wastewater allegedly discharged by Sky Light Hotel along Rwizi Lane in Kihindi Cell, Kakoba ward in Mbarara City South Division. 
It further stated: "Owing to the nuisance at your facility, a Nuisance Notice was issued on the same day, instructing you to rectify the situation within a specified period… To date, however, no corrective action has been taken, and the hazardous discharge persists, posing a serious public health and environmental risk."
Due to the hotel’s failure to comply, authorities invoked Section 89 of the Public Health Act, CAP.310, to close the premises and ordered an immediate cessation of wastewater discharge.
The hotel will remain closed until the following corrective measures are implemented: immediate cessation of wastewater discharge into the public drainage channel; installation of an appropriate wastewater treatment and disposal system in compliance with public health and environmental standards; and he submission of a compliance report detailing remedial actions, subject to verification by relevant authorities.
Muyambi, the hotel’s manager, told New Vision that delays by National Water and Sewerage Corporation officials in Mbarara had hindered their connection to the sewer system.
However, a source from Mbarara city claimed that the hotel's proprietor did not follow development guidelines during construction, leading to challenges in wastewater disposal.
"The owner overbuilt the property, leaving no space for proper wastewater management," the source said.
According to physical planning and development guidelines, all buildings within the city must have approved plans that conform to the plot size and adhere to recommended construction standards.
"If it is a commercial property, you should not build beyond 70% of the plot. If it is residential, you should not exceed 50% because there must be green space to allow fresh air circulation," the official explained.