The Executive Director of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Sharifah Buzeki, on Saturday ordered the immediate closure of Sky City Building along Nabweru Road near Bwaise Market in Kawempe South, citing failure to implement a proper waste management plan.
Buzeki issued the directive during a joint clean-up exercise at Bwaise Market and surrounding areas in Kawempe Division. The exercise was organised by KCCA in partnership with the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) as part of the UPDF’s Tarehe Sita celebrations.
“I want to thank our gallant members of the UPDF who joined us in this clean-up,we urge all market vendors and nearby traders to maintain proper sanitation. Those who fail to comply will be penalised.”, Buzeki said
Dressed in a KCCA field jacket, green Muslim scarf and gloves, Buzeki was accompanied by Director of Public Health and Environment Dr Sarah Zalwango, Kawempe Division Town Clerk Geoffrey Rwakabale, UPDF Lt Col Jemba, and Deputy RCC Luuka Kagenyi.
She warned city property owners who continue violating public health and environmental regulations that KCCA will take swift and decisive action against them.
According to Buzeki, the owner of Sky City Building, identified as Mahad, was directed to collect all garbage around the property and meet all waste management costs. She stressed that failure to comply would lead to immediate enforcement of the closure order.
UPDF’s Lt Col Jemba, who commanded the soldiers during the exercise, praised KCCA’s sanitation efforts and pledged continued cooperation.
“Just as we fought the LRA, Al-Shabaab in Somalia and other conflicts, we shall apply the same discipline and teamwork to make Kampala a clean and healthy city,” he said.
Kawempe Town Clerk Geoffrey Rwakabale said the division will maintain strict enforcement of sanitation standards, citing Kawempe’s strong performance in last year’s Weyonje sanitation challenge.
“We shall continue strengthening enforcement to ensure Kawempe remains clean,” Rwakabale noted.
Meanwhile, Faruk Bulime, a Kawempe mayoral candidate, criticised property owners who ignore health and environmental regulations, saying their actions mostly harm poor and vulnerable vendors and traders.
The clean-up exercise involved garbage collection, clearing drainage channels, and community sensitisation on waste sorting and proper disposal.
More updates to follow.