German government donates five garbage trucks worth Shs 1.8 billion to Gulu City Council
GULU – The German government has donated five garbage trucks worth Shs1.8 billion to Gulu City Council as it grapples with waste management and disposal.
A German Cooperation Agency (KFW) delivered the trucks to the City Authorities as part of their strategic plan for Gulu City’s waste management.
Alfred Okwonga, the Mayor of Gulu City commended them for the support which he says, will ease the collection and management of garbage in the city.
He explained that the donation will also provide jobs to the youths adding that about 15 drivers will be recruited to operate and manage the trucks.
Previously, a report by the Engineering Department indicated that the Council had only two garbage trucks that are in very poor mechanical conditions.
While 130 tons of garbage is collected daily, Gulu City is only able to dispose off 40 tons a day.
The Laroo-Pece Division Mayor, Geoffrey Otim revealed that the Division is due for the first reading of its draft by-law on waste management in October to protect the city from poor waste disposal.
He also noted that out of the Shs 3.6 billion budget for 2021/2022 financial year, waste management takes 25% of the budget.
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Margret Adoch, the Chairperson, Olayolong Market Vendors Association says, the market with close to 1,500 vendors is confronted with an irritating smell from rotten garbage.
While Adoch commended the donation of the garbage trucks to the Council, she called for regular collection of the garbage in the city mainly in the market places.
Patrick Oola Lumumba, the Division Mayor, Bardege-Layibi Division says, the Division is operating with challenges to manage the garbage and hopes to improve with the arrival of the new trucks.
Biodegradable waste in the city accounts for 76%, plastic 5%, metal 3%, polythene 7% and other demolition debris accounts for 9% respectively.
Gulu City Council authorities have inked a Shs 3.5 billion deal with the German Development Corporation for the construction of a garbage landfill in the city in an ongoing development.
The City has also been battling with poor sanitation related challenges and a 2019 Gulu District Health Department report found that 20,663 people got worm infections arising from poor sanitation.
The report further indicates that 29,866 suffered from skin diseases, 25,588 from Urinary Tract Infections while 24,606 got diarrhea in the year respectively.
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