By Our Reporter
A tense Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) council meeting on Wednesday reignited calls to phase out all open drainage systems in the city, citing them as major contributors to the worsening sanitation and flooding crises in the capital.
The heated session, attended by city division mayors, technical officers, and councillors, centred on the persistent menace of unregulated waste disposal and its link to open drainage. Council members unanimously condemned the habit of some city residents and business operators who indiscriminately dump rubbish, plastics, and other waste directly into the drains — acts described as both unpatriotic and criminal.
“Open drainages are no longer tenable in a modern city like Kampala. They are open invitations to disease, flooding, and urban degradation. We cannot keep pouring money into desilting the same spots every rainy season,” one councillor remarked during the session.
The problem, according to KCCA engineers, is compounded by Kampala’s rapid urbanisation and inadequate public sensitisation. With the city’s population expanding at a fast rate, existing drainage channels — many of them open and poorly maintained — are constantly overwhelmed, particularly during the rainy season.
“When the rains come, waste dumped in these open drains quickly clogs the flow, leading to flash floods, road destruction, and in some cases, tragic loss of life. It’s an avoidable disaster,” said one KCCA official.
Council members proposed a strategic move to gradually transition all open drainage infrastructure to closed systems that are safer, cleaner, and less prone to blockage. The move, they said, would not only reduce health hazards but also align with Kampala’s vision of becoming a clean, resilient, and liveable city.
KCCA also issued a call to action for private sector involvement in infrastructure upgrades. “The Authority encourages the private sector to take charge where possible, under the technical guidance and regulation of KCCA,” read part of the council’s resolution.
Council Applauds Frank Rusa for Transformative Leadership
During the same session, the council took time to award and commend former acting Executive Director, Frank Rusa, for his exceptional service to the Authority during his interim leadership.
The council applauded Rusa’s leadership, professionalism, and commitment during a period when the city was grappling with critical infrastructure challenges. His calm and strategic approach, members noted, played a vital role in restoring order and refocusing KCCA’s priorities.
Rusa is credited with overseeing major developments, most notably the successful supervision of flood control works in the Nakivubo area. The initiative, executed under his watch, significantly reduced waterlogging in the notoriously flood-prone zone during the March 2025 rains.
These achievements, among others, elevated his standing within the institution and earned him cross-party acclaim for his contributions towards building a more resilient and responsive urban authority.
As part of its broader sanitation agenda, KCCA is now working with environmental agencies and local leaders to step up enforcement against illegal waste disposal and to strengthen community awareness programmes.
For now, KCCA says it will intensify operations targeting illegal waste dumping, while advancing its case for the complete closure of open drainage systems — a vision they say is both necessary and long overdue.
