The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has reiterated its dedication to enhancing waste disposal and cleanliness in the city while also backing the Buganda Kingdom’s annual Kabaka Birthday Run.
On Tuesday, April 1, 2025, KCCA Executive Director, Sharifah Buzeki, led a delegation to Bulange Mengo, where she handed over KCCA’s UGX 7 million contribution towards the event and underscored the pressing need for improved waste management in Kampala.
During the engagement, Buzeki reaffirmed KCCA’s commitment to collaborating with the Buganda Kingdom in ensuring a cleaner and healthier city.
She urged the Kingdom to support KCCA’s initiatives in waste management and encouraged residents to embrace responsible waste disposal practices.
“We want Kampala to be a healthy and clean city, and that starts with proper waste management,” Buzeki noted. “Join us in maintaining a cleaner Kampala by disposing of waste responsibly. Separate biodegradable from non-biodegradable waste to enhance effective waste management.”
Buzeki further stressed the importance of shared responsibility in keeping the city clean, highlighting that waste disposal is a vital aspect of urban sustainability and public health.
“As residents, we all play a role in this. Kampala belongs to all of us, and it is our duty to maintain a clean and livable environment,” she added.
Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga acknowledged the waste management hurdles Kampala is grappling with, attributing them to urbanization and shifting lifestyles. He pointed out that many city dwellers still hold on to traditional rural waste disposal methods, which have contributed to sanitation challenges.
“Many of us in Kampala grew up in villages where waste disposal was informal food scraps were thrown in the matooke garden. However, in an urban setting, we must adapt, just as we have embraced wearing suits and ties,” Mayiga remarked.
He emphasized that proper waste disposal plays a crucial role in enhancing urban health, adding that clean public spaces, green parks, and improved health facilities are a direct result of effective waste management.
The Kabaka’s 70th Birthday Run, themed “Men for Good Health to Save the Girl Child and the Fight Against HIV/AIDS 2030,” is set for Sunday, April 6, 2025. While the primary focus remains on health and HIV/AIDS awareness, the event is also being used as a platform to reinforce waste management consciousness among city dwellers.
Buzeki encouraged all Kampala residents to actively participate in the run and use it as an opportunity to promote environmental responsibility.
The Kabaka Birthday Run is one of Uganda’s most prominent annual events, drawing thousands of participants. With KCCA’s active involvement, this year’s edition will also serve as a rallying call for a cleaner and greener Kampala.
