STINK WAR! Land Grabbers on Spot as Church Leaders, Residents Demand Relocation of Kenkombe Garbage Site
One of the parts in Kenkombe garbage dumping site
By Amos Tayebwa – Mbarara
Tensions are mounting in Rwemigina Ward, Mbarara City North Division, as church leaders and residents intensify calls for the relocation of the Kenkombe garbage dumping site, citing worsening health risks and emerging cases of suspected land grabbing on the contested land.
The dispute came to light during the closure of Mbarara City North Division baraza meetings recently held at St. Luke Kaburangire Church of Uganda, where clergy and locals accused the Mbarara City Council of neglecting repeated pleas to manage or relocate the city’s only dumping site.
Residents say the site, located in a densely populated area surrounded by homes, a primary school, and the church, has exposed the community to unbearable stench, flies, and health hazards for years.
“Our Christians no longer attend services regularly because of the unbearable smell and the flies that invade the church during worship,” lamented Rev. Boaz Tunanukye, the parish priest at St. Luke Church of Uganda.
He revealed that after years of unheeded complaints, the church and community leaders sued Mbarara City Council over poor waste management at Kenkombe. The court recently ruled in their favor, directing the council to maintain a 300-meter buffer between the garbage site and the neighboring community.
However, residents argue that the 300-meter radius is insufficient, insisting the council should find a new, permanent dumping site far from residential and institutional areas.
“The council must look for alternative land far from the middle of the city where garbage can be safely dumped,” said Rev. Tunanukye. “The people here have suffered enough.”
Mayor, Leaders Propose New Site and Recycling Plan
Mbarara City North Division Mayor, Gumisiriza Kyabwisho, supported the residents’ demands, saying Kenkombe was originally planned for housing development, not waste disposal.
“Kenkombe is meant for housing estates, not garbage. The council should relocate the dumping site to available land such as Kyaahi NFA, where there’s more space,” Kyabwisho suggested, while emphasizing that Kenkombe is meant for housing estates, not garbage.
He added that the division has already engaged a private recycling company ready to manage and reduce waste volumes, pending city council approval.
Kyabwisho also raised concern over reports of land grabbers targeting the Kenkombe site under the pretext of development.
“There’s a group of individuals plotting to grab this land. We’ve informed security to remain alert and protect government property,” he warned.
Deputy RCC Warns Council, Orders Compliance
Ms. Jackline Kankunda, the Deputy Resident City Commissioner (D/RCC) for Mbarara City North, also weighed in, directing the City Council to comply with the court order and ensure the 300-meter buffer is implemented immediately.
“Council must take action now and ensure the 300 meters are respected,” Kankunda said. “While waiting for a recycling investor to be approved, people at least deserve some breathing space. The area is filthy, and this is now a serious health issue.”
Kankunda further confirmed the existence of a land-grabbing scheme and vowed to protect the land from illegal acquisition.
“We are aware of individuals plotting to take over the garbage site land. We are handling both issues — protecting government property and addressing public health. We’ll meet with council and other leaders to secure the land and fast-track garbage relocation,” she emphasized.
Background
The Kenkombe garbage site is currently the only official dumping ground for Mbarara City’s waste. The city’s rapid expansion, coupled with limited waste management infrastructure, has turned the area into an environmental and health hotspot.
The court’s directive gives Mbarara City Council up to two months to implement its order, after which further legal or administrative action could be taken.
As the debate continues, residents and church leaders remain firm: either the garbage must go, or they will seek higher intervention from the central government.
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