In Uganda’s busy capital, Kampala, plans for a green and smart city face a significant problem – people trespassing in public areas.
The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has provided funds to keep the city’s green spaces beautiful. However, unauthorized use of these areas by the public has become a challenge for the city’s development.
These green areas were meant to enhance Kampala City’s appearance but are now being invaded by trespassers who don’t seem concerned about breaking the law. Trespassing in these designated green areas is against the law that governs Kampala City. Offenders could be jailed or assigned to clean the affected area as a penalty.
A walk through Kampala City shows the extent of this problem, with many green spaces spoiled by trespassers who engage in various activities like eating, sleeping, or blocking pedestrian walkways.
While trying to talk to some of these trespassers on Namirembe Road, we found that many of them were unaware of the rules governing public spaces in Kampala City.
Isaac Mugumbule, the Landscape Supervisor at KCCA, mentioned that they face financial challenges in enforcing the rules, despite their efforts to deal with street children.
Deputy Lord Mayor Doreen Nyanjura expressed her lack of surprise at this issue and criticized the government’s focus on street children at the expense of other urban challenges.
As the people of Kampala see their city struggle with cleanliness and orderliness despite significant funding, they question whether the KCCA leadership is only addressing street hawkers as the city’s main problem.
