Minister Barugahara in one man's strike over Fort Portal garbage
The minister, who was leading the National Cleaning Day exercise in the city as part of the National initiative on sanitation and environmental cleanliness, came across what he described as a mountain of rubbish in the middle of the busy fresh food market.
Minister of Local Government, Balam Barugahara (third right), takes part in the National Cleaning Day exercise in Fort Portal before the standoff. (Credit: Jonan Tusingwire)
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FORT PORTAL — The Minister of Local Government, Balaam Barugahara, on Saturday brought activities at Kabundaire Fresh Market in Fort Portal City to a standstill, demanding the removal of a massive garbage heap that had piled up for years.
The minister, who was leading the National Cleaning Day exercise in the city as part of the National initiative on sanitation and environmental cleanliness, came across what he described as a mountain of rubbish in the middle of the busy fresh food market.
The garbage heap, estimated to be about three metres high, emitted a foul smell that engulfed the market.
Leachate from the decomposing waste was flowing into nearby stalls where traders sell fresh produce including: tomatoes, cabbages, fruit and vegetables.
Just a few metres away, several local restaurants served meals to different customers
"Where is the CAO? I want this garbage removed. I am not going to leave this place until it is removed," the minister declared before climbing to the top of the garbage heap to emphasise his demand.
His decision triggered panic among city officials, who immediately began making frantic phone calls to mobilise heavy machinery capable of clearing the waste. The minister also ordered authorities to demolish structures that blocked access to the garbage site so that the machines could reach it.
"We came here to implement the Presidential initiative that was launched. I came to Fort Portal Tourism City to see what is happening, but I am disappointed to find that the tourist attraction here is a rubbish mountain a Baby Rwenzori of rubbish in the middle of town and in the middle of a market where we collect a lot of money every month to support our budget," Barugahara said.
"It is unfortunate that we have this yet we have local and political leaders in this area."
The standoff lasted for nearly two hours before trucks and heavy equipment arrived and began removing the accumulated waste as the minister watched from the scene.
Kabundaire Fresh Market is one of Fort Portal City's busiest markets, handling large volumes of fresh agricultural produce daily. The presence of a long-standing garbage heap within the market has raised concerns about food safety, public health, and sanitation.
Leaders blame technical team for decade-long garbage crisis
Fort Portal Central Division political leaders blamed the city's technical team for failing to remove a massive garbage heap for nearly a decade despite repeated complaints and budget allocations.
Fort Portal Central Division Mayor Joram Bintamanya said political leaders had repeatedly raised concerns about the garbage, but the latter reported that the money was inadequate.
"This garbage has been here for about ten years. We used to pass money in council for the health department to remove it, but they would only come and remove a small portion, leaving the rest behind," Fort Portal Central Division Deputy Mayor Elizabeth Kenganzi said.
The leaders said the persistent accumulation of waste had exposed traders and consumers to serious health risks, as the market handles fresh food produce consumed daily by thousands of people.