A group of concerned citizens in Lira City led by a human rights defender has on Wednesday presented a petition to the Lira City Council, highlighting critical issues related to garbage management, flooding, and environmental neglect within the city.
The petition, which was handed over 28 August 2024 to the office of the mayor, outlines several grievances that residents believe have not been adequately addressed by the city authorities.
Led by Denis Obitch Alexis Awio, the petitioners are frustrated by the city’s alleged inaction pointed out that many of the newly constructed roads under the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) project have drainage channels that are either blocked or damaged. They tabled that these blockages have led to severe flooding in various parts of the city during heavy rains, causing inconvenience to residents and businesses alike.
Denis Obitch Alexis Awio emphasized, “Most of these drainage channels are blocked due to broken slabs and accumulated silt. Areas around the bus park and several small business establishments are particularly affected. When it rains, these channels overflow, causing flooding that disrupts both pedestrian and vehicular movement.”
In their petition, they also brought to attention the irresponsible disposal of waste by some business owners, which further exacerbates the blockage of drainage systems.
They urged the city council to take stronger enforcement measures to prevent such practices, suggesting that the council should work closely with Local Council (LC1) structures to monitor and manage waste disposal effectively.
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Tweny Martin one of the petitioners warned that if the city council fails to act on their demands, they may resort to more drastic measures, including organizing demonstrations. “We have given the city council three months to come up with ordinances on garbage management. If nothing is done, we will mobilize the community to take further action,” he stated.
Responding to the petition, the deputy mayor, acknowledged the issues raised by the citizens and admitted that the current efforts to manage garbage and maintain the drainage systems are insufficient. She expressed the council’s willingness to engage with the community to find lasting solutions.
She also tinted on the ongoing efforts to manage garbage through a public-private partnership with contractors assigned to different parts of the city. However she admitted that there are gaps in coverage, particularly in the city’s outskirts, which have led to illegal dumping in wetlands and other unauthorized areas.
As the city continues to grapple with these challenges, the petitioners and the city council have agreed to meet again in the coming weeks to discuss potential solutions and monitor progress on the issues raised.
