KCCA ED Buzeki  Emphasizes Community Involvement in Maintaining City Cleanliness

Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Executive Director Hajjati Sharifah Buzeki led a community cleaning exercise in Bukoto Mulimira Zone as part of the Weyonje Campaign (Clean and Smart City Campaign). She was accompanied by the Director of Physical Planning and KCCA Deputy Director Benon Kigenyi, Oweekitiibwa Mariam Mayanja Nkalubo – Minister for Community Self Help, Environment, Water and Gender in Buganda Kingdom who was the Chief Guest. These were joined by hundreds of residents and development partners, including KACITA, a traders group, and Buganda Kingdom.

During her visit, Buzeki was taken through the ghettos of Mulimira zone, where she participated in general cleaning and distributed hundreds of flyers with KCCA pictures and words showing how to separate decomposable from non-decomposable waste, such as plastics. She also interacted with locals and gathered feedback on how to improve sanitation in Mulimira.

The Executive Director was shown the spot where two children from Mulimira Zone recently died after falling into a drainage channel filled with rubbish. Later, she participated in planting a tree at Bukoto Community Primary School as part of efforts to keep the environment green.

KCCA Executive Director Sharifah Buzeki pinning a Weyonje Campaign poster in Mulimira Zone.

In her speech, Buzeki appreciated the locals for working with KCCA to clean their area. She noted that Mulimira Zone is a historical area in KCCA records and emphasized that when they decide to clean an area, the community should join hands with them. She explained that KCCA started the Weyonje campaign to promote cleaning, and every last Saturday of the month, they organize general cleaning exercises in different parts of the city.

Buzeki urged residents not to dump garbage in drainage channels, as it affects the flow of sewage and water and harms the environment. She said KCCA has decentralized operations, and divisions now have budgets to ensure cleaning is done. Starting July, KCCA will be on the ground to ensure smooth cleaning operations in all city divisions.

KCCA ED Sharifah Buzeki inspecting the Drainage channels in Mulimira Zone.

The Executive Director asked KACITA leaders, led by Nagenda Musoke, to encourage traders to use dustbins for their waste, such as polythene papers and boxes, rather than dumping them anywhere. She announced plans to inspect shops to ensure they have proper waste management systems in place. Buzeki also appealed to adults to set good examples for the younger generation and thanked President Museveni for his continued support to KCCA.

Mariam Nkalubo appealed to locals to stop dumping food covers and other waste in drainage channels to live a life free from diseases like malaria and cholera. She noted that Buganda Kingdom is committed to supporting a hygienic city and urged residents to live as befits a modern generation. Nkalubo called for laws to be enforced and strengthened to keep cities clean and asked people to report those dumping garbage in cities. She also appealed to men to lead the fight against HIV/AIDS, in line with the Kingdom’s initiatives for healthy living.

KCCA Executive Director Inspecting the drainage channels in Mulimira Zone.

KACITA Chairman Musoke Nagenda asked KCCA to prioritize health issues and not wait for the designated day of general cleaning. He appreciated KCCA for working with traders and noted that they had mobilized themselves to join KCCA in cleaning the city.

Nakawa Division Mayor Paul Mugambe appreciated KACITA traders for partnering with KCCA. He noted that in Nakawa, six people had died during floods, including two children who drowned in Mulimira zone, and asked KCCA to provide them with excavators to facilitate regular cleaning of drainage channels. Mugambe thanked Hajjati Buzeki for leading the general cleaning exercise.

KCCA Executive Director Sharifah Buzeki was given a gift by one of the locals to appreciate her efforts to a cleaner city.

Dr. Phiona Nakalinda Kalinda expressed her appreciation to KCCA for the general cleaning exercise and sent condolences to Catholic faithfuls for the loss of Pope Francis, whom she described as a champion of good health, peace, and sanitation. She emphasized that general cleaning starts with personal hygiene and a mindset change. Dr. Nakalinda advised parents to teach their children to separate rubbish from plastics that do not decompose.

KCCA Executive Director Sharifah Buzeki planting a tree at Bukoto Community Primary School.

A Diamond Trust Bank Official showing Weyonje Campaign posters.

On his part, KCCA Deputy Director Benon Kigenyi advised adults to stop littering drainage channels with fecal matter and then fearing to clean them.