Persistent cross-border sewage pollution from Kenya into Busia Municipality has sparked renewed calls for the Ugandan government to engage Kenyan authorities over what residents describe as a growing public health and environmental threat. Residents say untreated effluent is routinely discharged from Busia County, Kenya, particularly during the evening, before flowing through streams into villages including Marachi, Sofia and Mugungu in Eastern Division.
They say the polluted water has contaminated local water sources, affected aquatic life and raised fears of outbreaks of waterborne diseases. The concerns come just days after the government rolled out the monthly National Cleaning Day initiative aimed at improving sanitation and environmental hygiene across the country.
Kopolyano Wandera, a contestant for the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), said the pollution is silently endangering the lives of residents and called on both the Ugandan and Kenyan governments to jointly address the challenge. He said Busia, as an international border town, should project a clean and healthy environment capable of attracting trade and investment without exposing residents and visitors to health risks.
Moses Barasa, the Busia District NRM Vice Chairperson and Director of Generation U, said the discharge has severely affected aquatic life in streams around Mugungu Village. He explained that whenever the sewage is released, the water turns yellow, making it unsafe for domestic use and damaging the local ecosystem.
Yusuf Jaber, a resident, said the sewage often floods people’s compounds at night, increasing fears of disease outbreaks. He urged authorities to urgently intervene before the situation worsens. Busia Town Clerk Katunda Mukulu Fenard said the municipality will improve drainage channels to ensure wastewater flows properly without affecting residents.
Busia Municipality Principal Health Inspector Moses Okurut described the sewage flowing from Kenya as a major public health burden, warning that it continues to expose residents to disease.
Meanwhile, Busia District LCV Chairperson John Charles Namayindi said district leaders have begun engaging the Governor of Busia County to find a lasting solution. He acknowledged that Uganda cannot stop water flowing across the border but said Kenyan authorities should ensure that wastewater is properly treated before it enters Uganda-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
