By KT Reporter
Kawempe Division has emerged as the overall winner of the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Weyonje Sanitation Challenge, taking home a trophy and a cash prize of five million shillings. Lubaga Division finished second and received four million shillings, while Kampala Central Division came third. Nakawa Division placed fourth, and Makindye Division—winners of the first edition of the competition—came last.
The Weyonje Sanitation Challenge was launched by KCCA on November 15 with the aim of promoting proper waste management and disposal, and identifying the cleanest division in Kampala. Speaking at the awards ceremony, KCCA Director of Public Health, Dr. Sarah Zalwango, said the second edition of the competition focused on identifying model villages, model parishes, the best desilting division, and the cleanest division of the year.
Dr. Zalwango noted that the initiative also recognizes and appreciates the work of city cleaners, who play a critical role in keeping Kampala clean. During the awards ceremony held on Monday evening at Kitante Primary School and attended by city cleaners from across Kampala, the workers raised concerns with KCCA Executive Director, Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki, over low pay.
They said they earn meagre wages despite the heavy workload. Hassan Lutaya, a supervisor in Kampala Central Division, said cleaners are assigned increasingly large areas due to the expansion of paved roads in the city, and called for the recruitment of more cleaners. The workers also complained about the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as reflective jackets, gumboots, gloves, hoes, and other cleaning tools. They further noted that they had not yet received their December salaries despite the approaching Christmas season.
In response, Executive Director Buzeki summoned division town clerks and supervisors from Community SACCO and 7 Hills Cleaners to explain why December salaries had not been paid on time, contrary to KCCA guidelines. The Kampala Central Town Clerk explained that while the division intended to pay cleaners on time, delays occurred due to some supervisors’ failure to submit the required documentation. He added that the payment process had since been completed and that the funds would be credited to the cleaners’ accounts before Christmas.
Meanwhile, Kawempe Acting Town Clerk, Mazapkwe Grace, dismissed claims that November salaries had not been paid, saying the funds were released on time and that any delays were due to banking processes. Delayed payment of city cleaners has in the past led to strikes and work stoppages at KCCA. Since assuming office, Buzeki has emphasized timely payment as a priority to avoid such disruptions. She urged division town clerks, following the devolution of powers, to ensure that salaries for each month are paid before the 12th day of the following month to guarantee uninterrupted cleaning services across the city.
On the issue of salary enhancement, the Executive Director said she would consult the Ministry of Finance to seek an increased budget that could allow for a review of cleaners’ wages and staffing levels. Moses Byaruhanga, the Presidential Advisor on Political Affairs, said government plans to capitalize cleaners’ SACCOs with 200 million shillings during the seventh term of President Yoweri Museveni, should he be re-elected. He encouraged the cleaners to vote for Museveni in the upcoming elections scheduled for January 15 next year.
-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
