Kitgum Municipality is on the spot for failing to collect piles of uncollected garbage for several months causing unbearable stench in all its fours of district Parishes.The most affected areas are Kitgum main bus park , Kitgum market, roads and water sources .James Odong, a resident of Quarters Cell, Pandwong division blasted the leaders for failing to deal with uncollected garbage management that has worsened the hygiene of the town and water sources.
He said with the persistent heavy downpour the town is at risk of disease outbreak because all their water sources are getting contaminated as a result of the poor garbage management.
According to reports, the authorities have not collected the heaps of garbage for the last two months, making the town filthy with bad smell and experiencing an influx of flies within the streets.
Patrick Paul Kidega, the Deputy Mayor Kitgum Municipality, has admitted the problem and blamed the delays on the limited space at the dumping site in Pinymunu village ,Labongo- Akwang Sub County which has gotten full.
He however, said they have more than 10 acres of land in Akwang Sub County and is being opened to expand the site to begin collecting garbage that is almost swallowing the town.
Kidega further revealed that the long term plan is to hire a private company to manage garbage collection in Kitgum Municipality to avoid these delays.
Isaac Odong, a Public Health Expert, has warned that poor waste disposal is a big threat to human health, urging the authorities in Kitgum Municipality to immediately intervene.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO),improper disposal can lead to adverse health outcomes, for example through water, soil and air contamination.
Hazardous waste or unsafe waste treatment such as open burning can directly harm waste workers or other people involved in waste burning and neighbouring communities.
Vulnerable groups such as children are at increased risk of adverse health outcomes. Poor waste collection leads to environmental and marine pollution and can block water drains.
Resulting flooding and other standing waters in waste items favour cholera and vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue.
Caption; A man looking at the piles of garbage at Kitgum main bus (Courtesy photo)
