Tell us how much is needed to improve on the land side of waste management.
What is this project all about? The landfill, why can’t you use this management waste side to decompose instead of transforming diversity to compost when it becomes fertilizer and you sell it as manure?
“The project funded by the German Development Bank (KFW) was to improve the garbage management, water, and sanitation in Gulu City”
GULU CITY-WED. APRIL 2026.
By Okumu Livingstone Langol, Our Correspondent
Dr. Bariregga Akankwasah, the Executive Director of the National Environment Management Authority, is on strategic focus; the team is touring Northern Uganda, Gulu City, Lira City and Nwoya District) The tour began on April 21, 2026. To conduct environmental compliance monitoring, enforce environmental regulations, and strengthen local governance regarding natural resources management.
The ED, National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), questions the viability of the waste side; is it for the Municipality waste side or the Gulu City side? Initially, Gulu City is implementing a UGX 3.5 billion project finally the USMID project was UGX 7.5 billion (Often referenced in tandem with German Development Cooperation /GIZ, or linked to USMID-supported initiatives) to construct a modern landfill in Agwee Ward, near Pece Stream. The project focuses on handling over 130 tons of daily waste via a landfill with a 188,079 m3 capacity.
Michael Rubanga, Gulu City Inspector, the in-charge of Agwee landfill officer during the visitation of the NEMA team led by Prof. James Okot Okumu, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of NEMA, accompanied by Executive Director Dr Bariregga Akankwasah, in his narrative says Agwee landfill is a sanitary landfill constructed recently has the 3Rs. Re-use. Recycle and Refine of Plastic, Bottles, and Solitary.
Mike Ochan, Gulu City Environmental Officer, Gulu University, under the private Pattern, is teaming with Agwee landfill to have a living laboratory of FPIR equipment to convert methane gas to reduce the waste burden.
The NEMA ED, Otherwise cut him halfway through Gulu City NEMA officer’s explanation, questioned him, when he said we can transform diversity users in Agwee landfill. The ED Akankwasah said that instead of organic waste, you can dispose of it to become fertilizers to allow people to buy food elements and non-plastic material. What will this project be for, initial was for landfill, but you need to let this be for a medical laboratory, where this dumping side will be used for medical waste. Because after five years down the road, the landfill side will be of no use. You need a conveyor system,
A medical handling apparatus that automatically transports materials, products, or items from one location to another within a facility. It typically uses a power belt chain or roller to move goods. Rather than using manual hand manpower to sort out plastic from organic waste.
Michael Rubanga elaborated that right now, from generation to generation, we want it to be a sorting machine, and you can reemitted the project.
Michael Rubanga appealed to the NEMA official that they need to sanitize the community, currently they have an agreement with the Laroo-Pece City Division to carry their waste by segregation to their own house instead of using lorry trucks, and the agreement with the Layibi Division is for clean waste.
Prof. James Okot Okumu, the Chairman Board Chairman, says usually we need to have a field site. You want to have a window to study the waste site, which has failed, on this side and 12 kilometers outside Gulu City.
Prof. James Okot Okumu dismisses the notion of using Agwee landfill for decomposing waste management, on the fact that the population of Gulu City is growing; after five years, you need to redesign things to avoid failure, working on sorting out whatever issues of value.
“I also emphasize that you need the thing you need to review, composing, and you need to have the project you can work with. Should the USMID II project give you the money you need to redesign this landfill to accommodate future plans, when you carry out the project without NEMA approval, we shall reject it. Insisted that the landfill site will have a conflict with the neighbors because of the smell
Prof. James Okot Okumu “All the issues, the Organic waste, where are you going to put it. The place is small, only 7 acres of land, only one years when the project of waste management started, there will be a conflict because, and how can you have neighbors who are 500 meters from this waste landfill?” Prof. James Okot Okumu reasoned.
Michael Rubanga, in conclusion, explained that apart from the 3Rs, the landfill has 3 well dug ground first they put polyethen bags that cover three deep-dug places, and later they pour grand hard rock to cover it with 3 inch. To allow the waste material from organic food and non-organic food to be dumped in those landfills.
Besides that, the product from medical burnt waste will be dumped in the three bases.
