Makindye channel becomes death trap

A Makindye Division resident looks at the water channel that residents say has become a danger to their lives. PHOTO BY EPHRAIM KASOZI

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Residents say many children and adults have sustained serious injuries as a result of falling in the channel that has slippery banks.

Kampala- A water channel in Makindye Division has turned into a death trap for children residing near it, residents have said.

During a community cleaning exercise on Tuesday, residents of Nsambya Kevina in Katwe II Parish said many children and adults have sustained serious injuries as a result of falling in the channel that has slippery banks.
The channel, which drains various areas of Makindye through Katwe II Parish and feeds Nakivubo Channel, has since turned into a collection site for waste and dead animals which produce a stench, to the chagrin of residents.

Unanswered complaints
“We have suffered with this channel for years now after unsuccessful appeals to the division and KCCA officials, who have since visited this place, promised to work on it but nothing is going on,” said Mr Lawrence Sekwayama, a leader at St Dennis Catholic Church in Katwe II Parish.

Mr Sekwayama also accused residents neighbouring the channel of emptying their waste products into the channel which poses health risk in the area.

Mr David Mudoola, a village leader in Nsambya-Kevina, said the channel is under plan of city authorities; “We were told to wait for resources to be allocated towards the channel but it has taken been long to be done.”

West Lango Diocese Bishop elect Alfred Acur Okudi, who participated in the cleaning exercise, called for intervention from responsible leaders.
KCCA deputy spokesperson Robert Kalumba could not comment on the matter, saying he needed time to consult the line department.