Kampala, Uganda: Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has earmarked Shs50 million to support the eradication of bedbugs and other household pests across the city following growing complaints from residents over increasing infestations.
The funding was announced during the weekly Weyonje community clean-up exercise led by KCCA Executive Director Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki, as the authority intensified efforts to improve sanitation, strengthen solid waste management and promote waste sorting at source.
The exercise, held in Kawempe One Parish, brought together officials from KCCA, the Uganda Police Force (UPF), the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and members of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU).
Residents used the engagement to raise concerns over the growing spread of bedbugs and cockroaches, urging KCCA to scale up fumigation and sanitation interventions in affected communities.
Responding to the concerns, Buzeki said the authority had allocated Shs50 million specifically to support bedbug eradication efforts and called on local leaders to identify the most affected areas for targeted intervention.
She emphasized that while fumigation remains important, maintaining proper household hygiene and environmental sanitation is equally critical in controlling infestations.
Buzeki also warned residents against illegal waste dumping, saying offenders would face prosecution under the law.
She further urged vendors previously removed from city streets to relocate to gazetted KCCA and privately owned markets as the authority explores opportunities to expand market infrastructure.
Speaking during the exercise, Henry Mpiima of the Patriotic League of Uganda said the organization has mobilized youth to participate in Bulungi Bwansi community clean-up activities, which started at village level and have since expanded to parish level.
He said volunteers have been fumigating homes but are struggling to cope with the increasing number of households affected by bedbugs and cockroaches.
Mpiima appealed to KCCA to provide additional logistical and financial support to strengthen the campaign.
Kawempe Kirokole LC I Chairperson and Kawempe Division Deputy Mayor Joseph Kibuga said many residents suffer silently because they are embarrassed to disclose bedbug infestations.
According to Kibuga, the magnitude of the problem is evident from the large number of residents who regularly seek fumigation chemicals from his office.
He attributed the spread of the pests to overcrowded housing, poor sanitation and inadequate ventilation.
Kibuga also highlighted challenges in waste management, noting that Kawempe Division lacks sufficient garbage trucks to effectively collect waste.
He appealed to KCCA to deploy additional garbage collection vehicles and prioritize the upgrading of the Kiyanja drainage channel to address persistent flooding in the division.
Responding to the concerns, Buzeki acknowledged that KCCA currently operates only 34 garbage trucks to serve the entire city.
She revealed that Parliament had approved funding in the current financial year for the procurement of five additional garbage trucks to strengthen waste collection services.
On drainage infrastructure, Buzeki said KCCA has for years faced funding constraints that have slowed rehabilitation of major drainage channels.
She, however, disclosed that President Yoweri Museveni directed the Ministry of Finance in March to finance Kampala’s comprehensive drainage improvement programme.
According to Buzeki, KCCA will begin works on major drainage systems, including the Lubigi and Nalukolongo channels, while routine maintenance of other drainage channels will continue as additional funding becomes available.
The Weyonje campaign forms part of KCCA’s broader strategy to improve public health, enhance environmental sanitation and reduce disease outbreaks associated with poor waste management and unhygienic living conditions across Kampala.
By URN
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