Why Dumping Garbage in Drainages Is Destroying Our Cities
Every time someone dumps a sack of garbage into a drainage channel, they’re not just littering — they’re endangering the entire community.
The images and videos that have recently circulated on social media tell a disturbing story. Sacks of waste being casually thrown into city drains during heavy rain. This isn’t just carelessness. It’s a public health hazard, an environmental threat, and a direct contributor to flooding and disease outbreaks.
The Hidden Cost of Irresponsible Waste Disposal
- Blocked drainage leads to flooding and damage to roads and property. This is a major and growing problem in Kampala and the surrounding suburbs like Bwaise, Kisenyi, and Nansana. During the rainy season, poor drainage caused by garbage build-up turns streets into rivers. Homes are submerged, businesses lose stock, and entire communities are cut off from basic services. The cost of repairs, both public and private, runs into billions of shillings annually.
- Stagnant water becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes, spreading malaria and other diseases.Malaria remains one of the leading causes of illness and death in Uganda, especially among children under five. In slum areas and low-lying regions where waste and stagnant water collect, the risk is multiplied. Additionally, waterborne diseases like typhoid and cholera are frequently reported during flood outbreaks caused by blocked drainage.
- Piles of rotting waste release toxic fumes and contaminate the environment.As garbage decomposes, it releases harmful gases like methane and ammonia, which contribute to air pollution and unpleasant odors that linger in the air. These fumes affect respiratory health, especially for children and the elderly. The waste also leaches toxins into the soil and waterways, further endangering the ecosystem. Tragically, many children play near these waste piles, unaware of the health risks they are exposed to every day—from infections to injuries caused by broken glass, sharp metal, and hazardous materials, and yet, these problems are 100% preventable.
Accountability Matters
The viral video shared by NBS (Next Media Broadcasting Services) showed a man dumping sacks of garbage into a drainage trench during a downpour.
- The incident sparked national outrage.
- The 26-year-old man was arrested on April 8th and arraigned before a city court.
- He pleaded guilty to depositing waste in an undesignated place under Section 97 of the National Environment Act.
- The court fined him UGX 500,000, sending a strong message about the consequences of reckless waste disposal.
But the Problem Runs Deeper – Kiteezi
- Even when garbage is collected correctly, where does it go?
- Kiteezi landfill in Mpererwe is Uganda’s only designated dumping site — and it’s well beyond capacity.
- A recent landslide at the site caused loss of life, highlighting the dangerous pressure on our waste system.
The system is stretched, and unless both people and government change behavior, the consequences will continue to pile up — literally.
We Can Do Better — And We Must
At T&D Cleaners, we believe cleanliness starts with personal responsibility and ends with community action. Proper garbage collection, sorting waste, and using designated disposal points are not luxuries — they are necessities for a healthier, safer city.
What Our Cities Urgently Need
- More designated waste collection and sorting points
- Increased public education on proper waste handling
- Strict enforcement of environmental laws
- Plans to decongest Kiteezi landfill and build modern recycling systems
- A shift in personal responsibility — because this is everyone’s problem
What You Can Do
- Use licensed garbage collection services
- Don’t dump waste in open drains or roadsides
- Speak up when you see improper disposal
- Educate others — change starts with awareness
Let’s work together to stop this before it becomes irreversible. Every clean street, every clear drain, every responsible action adds up.
The Destruction Therein
Every time someone dumps a sack of garbage into a drainage channel, they’re not just littering — they’re endangering the entire community. The photos here shows a harsh reality. city drains being used as dumpsters, turning vital infrastructure into breeding grounds for disease, blockages, and floods.
