Pakwach, Uganda: Traders and residents at Panyimur Food Market in Abiya Cell, Panyimur Town Council have raised alarm over mounting piles of rotting cabbage leaves, polythene bags and other garbage dumped within the market, warning that the situation poses a serious public health risk.
Vendors say the decomposing vegetable waste has produced unbearable foul odours that threaten the well-being of traders, nearby residents and customers who visit the busy market daily to purchase fresh produce.
The traders are now urging local authorities to urgently establish a designated dumping site and introduce a reliable garbage collection system to restore cleanliness and safety in the market.
“We work here every day surrounded by rotting cabbage leaves and plastic waste,” one vendor said, warning that the unsanitary environment could expose traders and consumers to disease outbreaks.
The complaints come months after Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja handed over sanitation equipment to improve waste management in the area.
During a visit to Pakwach District on January 8, 2026, Nabbanja delivered two garbage collection tricycles, commonly known as Tuku Tuku, and a motorcycle intended to strengthen waste collection and sanitation efforts in Panyimur Town Council.
At the time, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of maintaining clean urban centres to prevent communicable diseases and safeguard public health. She also directed local leaders to ensure the equipment is used strictly for waste management purposes.
However, some residents claim the equipment has not yet been deployed and remains parked at the town council headquarters while garbage continues to accumulate in the market.
Responding to the concerns, Panyimur Town Council Deputy Mayor and Leader of Government Business Stephen Obedmoth acknowledged the sanitation challenges facing the market.
Obedmoth said the delay in deploying the sanitation equipment was due to ongoing arrangements to identify qualified operators and secure fuel for the machines.
“We are finalising arrangements so that the tricycles can start operating. Once this is done, they will be deployed to handle waste collection and improve sanitation across the town,” he said.
Traders say urgent intervention is needed before the situation worsens, warning that continued neglect of waste management could affect business and pose serious health risks in the community.
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