The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has ordered the Entebbe Municipal Council to urgently address mismanagement at the Nkumba Waste Dumping Site or face its closure within three months.
The directive comes after inspections revealed significant non-compliance with environmental regulations, posing severe risks to both the surrounding ecosystem and public health.
In a press release, NEMA stated, “The management of the Nkumba Waste Dumping Site falls short of compliance requirements under the National Environment Act, Cap. 181, the National Environment (Waste Management) Regulations S.I. 49 of 2020, the conditions of Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) approval, and the Guidelines for the Management of Landfills in Uganda, 2020.”
The authority emphasized that illegal dumping activities in wetland areas and a lack of proper containment measures are contributing to the degradation of the fragile environment. NEMA warned that if the council fails to comply by February 11, 2025, the site will be closed indefinitely.
NEMA directed the Council to cease all dumping activities in the wetland sections of the Nkumba Waste Dumping Site. The area was illegally encroached upon, and NEMA has emphasized that it must be restored to its original state as outlined in the map provided to the council. Furthermore, the council must rehabilitate all degraded areas surrounding the landfill to prevent further environmental damage and bring them as close as possible to their natural condition.
The council has also been instructed to conduct a comprehensive Environmental Compliance Audit of the site’s operations within three months. This audit, mandated under the National Environment (Audit) Regulations, is expected to assess adherence to environmental standards and identify areas that require immediate improvement. In addition, the council must take steps to secure the site by constructing a perimeter wall and gate to prevent unauthorized access, which has contributed to the site’s mismanagement.
NEMA has demanded the development of a robust system to manage these byproducts, including leachate collection and treatment facilities, to ensure that no pollutants flow into Lake Victoria. The council must also establish a functional gas collection and emission control system. This will involve monitoring all sources of emissions and submitting annual air quality reports for review and compliance.
To improve waste transportation, the council has been instructed to develop and maintain access roads leading to the site, ensuring they are safe and efficient for waste management operations. Finally, given the Nkumba site is nearing full capacity, the council must identify and secure an alternative site for waste disposal to prevent future overflows and mismanagement. These measures, if implemented, are aimed at addressing the environmental and health risks posed by the current state of the dumping site.
“The current state of the Nkumba Waste Dumping Site poses significant environmental and health risks to neighboring communities and Lake Victoria, a key water resource for Uganda and the region.”
NEMA reiterated its commitment to enforcing sustainable waste management practices across Uganda.
“Entebbe Municipal Council must take immediate steps to rectify the situation. Failure to comply will result in the site’s closure and further legal action,” the authority warned.
