MASINDI COUNCILORS REJECT MAYOR’S ORDER BANNING SUGARCANE TRUCKS FROM CENTRAL BUSINESS AREA

By Moses Andama
www.mknewslink.com
In Masindi—-
Masindi Municipal councillors have opposed a directive by the municipal mayor, Rogers Amanyire, ordering sugarcane trucks to stop passing through the central business area of the municipality.
Mayor Amanyire issued the directive to divert sugarcane trucks from the central business area and have them use alternative routes in an effort to improve sanitation in the town.
While addressing journalists in his office in May this year, Amanyire said the municipality had witnessed rampant spillage of bagasse and sugarcane peels by trucks transporting sugarcane through the town centre.
He noted that the continued littering of sugarcane waste had blocked drainage channels, damaged roads and posed public health risks.
Amanyire said the practice violated the Public Health Act, the Physical Planning Act, 2010, and the Municipal Solid Waste Management By-laws.
Under the directive, the selling and loading of sugarcane on streets, pavements and road reserves within the central business area was banned, except in designated areas.
The order also prohibited the dumping of sugarcane waste and bagasse on streets, in drainage channels and in open spaces. Sugarcane transporters were required to use alternative routes, including the Kamurasi–Ihungu–Hoima Road, Kyema–Kiswata–Kihuba–Kibwona–Biiso Road and Kyema–Kamdiini–Kigulya–Mirya–Kampala Road.
Amanyire gave transporters a 14-day grace period, from July 13 to 26, to comply with the directive before enforcement began.
The mayor noted that the by-law had been passed by the previous municipal council but had not been assented to until Wednesday.
However, during a council meeting on Thursday, councilors opposed the mayor’s directive, saying any attempt to burn sugarcane trucks would be illegal.
The motion was raised by the Leader of Business, Aisha Nakamya, as an action point before the council chaired by Speaker Betty Kyomuhendo.
While reacting to the motion, Isingoma Tegras, the male elderly councilor, opposed the mayor’s directive, calling it illegal because he said the mayor had not followed the proper council procedure. He warned that this could expose the council to potential losses.
Atuku Abdul Aziizi, councillor for Southern Ward, also questioned whether the mayor had consulted relevant stakeholders before issuing the directive. He said the decision posed a significant accident risk, particularly to children who would use the proposed alternative routes.
Nyangoma Fatuma, chairperson of the council’s Finance Committee, said the mayor had not provided clear information on the steps taken before issuing the directive.
In her response, Speaker Betty Kyomuhendo ruled that the directive could not be implemented, stating that it was illegal.
However, Mayor Rogers Amanyire insists that the directive stands, saying some truck drivers have already started complying with the order.