KCCA asked to break monopoly on garbage collection

The Union of Private Waste and Environment Management Association wants KCCA to break the monopoly it created in garbage collection.

In a statement it issued on Saturday, the association is saying that KCCA created exclusive concessions through Public Private Partnership for the business of garbage collection with few firms. The association insisted that it was illegal.

"The concessions created by KCCA and granted to a small number of players resulted in, among other things, creating monopoly  in favour of the selected players in certain areas of Kampala demarcated by the KCCA," the statement reads.

KCCA awarded contracts to three private companies to collect garbage in the city divisions. These are Nabugabo UP Deal, Homeklin Uganda Ltd and Consortium Uganda.

The association vows to take on KCCA for creating a monopoly that excludes other players, resulting in the severe economic loss.

"Therefore, the concessions created are illegal and unlawful. And we are determined to take all the necessary action to challenge the same via appropriate avenues," the association vows.

The association move to challenge KCCA comes at a time when the Makindye East MP Ibrahim Kasozi is also asking KCCA to determine the garbage collections fees.

"The Kampala Solid Waste Management Ordinance 2000 is very clear when you read section 9. It says the council shall prescribe the garbage fees for the collection. The private firms are charging unreasonably high fees. Many poor people cannot afford it,"Kasozi stated.

Kasozi, who was speaking to the residents, during the community meeting held in Kibuli, a city suburb, also vowed to put KCCA officials on task, when they appeal before Parliament, to prove whether the procurement process was done when awarding the three private firms garbage collection business.

This was after some local residents accused Homeklin Uganda, the firm which is charge of collecting garbage in Makindye division of hiking its services.

The fees charged according to some residents range between sh50,000 and 100,000.

However, the operation director of Homeklin Uganda ltd, Isaac Katureebe refuted the claims, accusing the area councilors and other politicians of blackmailing his firm. He challenged those accusing them to hike the service fees to produce evidence.

"We are aware that most people in Kampala city are poor.  But ever since we got this contract, councillors and other politicians have been telling residents not to pay for our services," Katureebe said.

Katureebe explained that they charge reasonable fees and at time they first negotiate with their clients on the fees they will be able to pay.

KCCA responds

KCCA acknowledged the public outcry on the high service fees charged by the three private firms.

Kampala Minister Beti Kamya said the authority will review the contracts, when they expire.

"When they expire, I shall sit with KCCA executive director, to see how to review them," she added.