As one moves around Light secondary school, Nakatunya Western division in Soroti district, mountains of uncollected, decomposing garbage compete for visibility with the school premises and teachers’ houses in all corners with a strong, foul smell.
This health hazard, according to the affected residents in the area along Lira Road, Western Division deprives them of a right to a clean environment, violating their rights.
Apart from the health problems such as the foul smell, diarrhoea, bad coughs, cholera and many others, the dumping of garbage has stained the relationship among the residents. As resident Irene Nambozo, who spoke to radio station TBS FM, explained the garbage is almost cutting off the access route to other areas mostly the one that leads to the secondary school, which is now impassable.
Despite numerous complaints by other residents some consider the garbage their source of daily bread. Street children sit leisurely, scavenging and munching the decomposed refuse of foods, competing with dogs, vultures, rats and flies without any hindrance.
Despite funds being remitted for garbage collection in the district, garbage management still proves difficult as the authorities lack equipment such as trucks and skips.
However, the LCIII chair person in Soroti sub-county, Edward Esegu, blamed the residents for what he termed “irresponsible dumping” of garbage in the area.
