The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN–HABITAT) has warned that petroleum and vehicle garage wastes in the Uganda’s southwestern town of Masaka pour into Nakayiba and Nabajuzi wetlands, the major sources of water for the town inhabitants.
George Kasumba, the UN Habitat Consultant, warns that the inhabitants of this town are in great danger because, “the wastes from the town enter these wetlands without being purified.”
While speaking at a one-day strategic Urban Development Plan for Masaka Municipality at Tropic Inn Hotel recently, Kasumba lamented that this as a result of lack of a reliable dumping site for Masaka Municipality.
Worse more, the population surrounding Nakayiba wetland grows yams, sugarcanes and sweet potatoes within this swamp which are later consumed by the local people and the town dwellers.
According to Kasumba, there is need for, “proper treatment of the water from these wetlands” to make sure that local people do not consume contaminated water from these wetlands.” Several people close to these wetlands collect water direct from them which they sometimes drink unboiled or use to prepare their food.
He also said that the garbage from Masaka Municipality dumped at Bwala and Ssenyange hills straw back to the urban area due to the strong winds and the flowing rainwater.
Speaking at the same function, the Masaka District Chairperson, Vincent Ssempijja said that operations against shops and homes constructed without toilets in the municipality are going to start effective with this month of January. He urged all the local leaders in the district to work towards having standard sanitation and hygiene in their communities.
The Member of Parliament for Masaka Municipality thanked the UN Habitat for providing about 1.4 million dollars towards the improvement of Nyendo from a slum environment to a properly planned town status.
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