A fire that broke out at a garbage dumping site in Luwero Town has destroyed two houses and property worth millions of shillings, raising fresh concerns about waste management in the area. The fire broke out at about 6 pm on Sunday at the garbage site in Kalongo Zone, Luwero Town Council, Luwero District.
Savannah Regional Police spokesperson Sam Twiineamazima said the fire started when garbage was being burned before spreading to a nearby makeshift structure, which was destroyed together with its merchandise. The flames also spread to a neighbouring six-roomed house belonging to Ismael Ssuuna, destroying property worth millions of shillings.
Fire and Rescue Unit teams responded to the scene and extinguished the blaze before it could spread to other structures. “There were no injuries or casualties reported at the time of the response,” Twiinamazima said. Police have urged residents and businesses to avoid open burning of waste and adopt safer methods of disposal.
“Town council officials have been asked to coordinate with community leaders to develop and implement safe waste-management measures to prevent similar incidents and protect the neighbourhood,” Twiinamazima said. The fire comes amid growing concerns over waste management in Luwero Town Council, where the same facility is used for garbage disposal and the burial of unclaimed bodies.
About 20 years ago, Luwero Town Council acquired 2.5 acres of land in Kalongo Zone, which was divided between a cemetery and a garbage dumping site serving the town. However, rapid population growth and increased waste generation have put pressure on the facility, which is now reportedly full. The town council is in the process of closing the site and finding alternative arrangements for waste disposal.
The incident has renewed concerns about the risks posed by open garbage dumping and burning, particularly where waste facilities are located close to residential areas. The situation also highlights wider waste-management challenges facing urban authorities across Uganda. In 2024, a garbage landslide at the Kiteezi landfill in Kampala killed at least 35 people and displaced more than 100 others.
Several town councils, municipalities and cities across the country continue to face shortages of adequate waste-management facilities, raising concerns about the potential for fires, environmental pollution and other disasters-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
