By Patricia Turyahebwa
KAMPALA
Poor garbage disposal, sanitation and unclean toilets are some of the challenges faced by vendors and market operators in Kampala.
Such issues have often led to poor drainage,flooding and disease outbreaks which are related to poor sanitation and proliferation of pests like rats, bedbugs consequently resulting into unpleasant odour in and around the markets.
However, many vendors have yet to recognize their role in maintaining a clean working environment ,often assuming that the general cleanliness of the market is solely the government’s responsibility.
Against this backdrop, the National Secretariat for Patriotism Corps (NSPC) organized a spirited community service initiative alongside the patriots from different walks of life to clean Usafi market and the surrounding areas.
The event was conducted under the theme” My Market, My Health” campaign.
The team was flagged off by Ian Gumisiriza Jeremiah, the Principal Officer in Charge of Communications who represented Commissioner Hellen Seku as the chief guest.
In his remarks, Gumisiriza emphasized that the community service aimed to demonstrate and exercise patriotism values which include the love conservation and protection of our environment.
“The purpose of this initiative is to encourage the vendors and the population around to dispose off garbage properly because one of the biggest problems we face in Kampala is poor garbage disposal,” said Gumisiriza
He added “the campaign is an extension of the National Environmental Protection Campaign which was launched at Kitebi SS in Rubaga Division last year by H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the President of Uganda and First Lady and Minister of Education, Janet Museveni.”
“In his guidance, the President has always advised us to dispose off the garbage in its degradable matter for example, if you have biodegradable garbage you leave it alone, if you have non-biodegradable like polythene bags you also put it in a way that can be disposed off well by burning it.”
“But the only challenge we have is that all this garbage is combined together and it ends up in trenches which leads to breakages and consequently flooding takes shape in areas like Nakivubo and Clock-Tower areas.”Gumisiriza added
He urged the vendors operating in Usafi market and other markets around the City Centre to prioritize the love for the environment by disposing off garbage in a designated places and dust bins if they are to curb the challenges affecting them.
“We are here today, to sensitize the masses on proper garbage disposal so that we preserve our environment. Patriotism begins by loving yourself, if you love yourself, then you are able to love the environment where you stay and you are able to love your neighbour and a your workplace”
“We have a challenge that most vendors have a mentality that cleaning around their stalls, or the market is a role of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) because the market belongs to the government. That’s not true! We want to reassure you that these are government places but you the vendors, are the beneficiaries, it’s therefore your mandate as tenants to ensure that they are clean regularly, dispose of garbage correctly.”he noted
On her part, Rosette Kazaire, the head of NSPC Mobilisation department called upon all the vendors from other markets to embrace and join the campaign noting that it is the only way they can demonstrate the love for the environment as Ugandans.
“We want to remind our colleagues that its important to work together as a team regardless of where we come from ,or our political affiliations. That is why we decided to give back to our friends of Usafi market because everything we eat, we get it from the markets,”
Highlighting the campaign theme; Kazaire called for health nutrition and proper sanitation in marketplaces to avoid consumption of toxic and multuparty systems. She urged for unity campaign,hard work, and environmental protection.
The event was graced by KCCA leaders,market vendors,market leaders,local area leaders,NRM Mobilisation groups,leaders of other informal sector groups and patriots.
