By Mike Ojok
Failure by Nwoya district authorities to address the stench from the waste being openly dumped by Bukona Agro-processors limited is back to haunt them.
Since 2020, when President Yoweri Museveni commissioned the factory at Lapem village, Coo room Parish, Koch Goma in Nwoya district, the management has been facing growing criticism over their failure to address the stench from the waste being openly dumped at the vicinity of the factory.
Exposure to odor is associated with symptoms such as an impact on blood pressure, immune function, headaches, nausea, fatigue, eye and throat irritation, according to health experts.
Environmentally, it can pollute water bodies, leading to eutrophication, reduced sunlight penetration, and harm to aquatic life due to low oxygen levels.
Like any other district in Uganda, Nwoya has a fully-fledged Environment Management Department with qualified staff.
The office is mandated to regulate, monitor, supervise, and coordinate all activities related to the environment.
However, the residents have accused the management of Bukona Agro-processors limited and the district authorities of failing to address the problem.
Denis Ojara, a resident of Lapem Village says he is leaving in fear that his family could have developed health complications from the waste stench that comes due to the poor waste deposal by the factory.
Gloria Achan, another resident says their attempts to involve the district leadership over the matter has been in vain since none of the official has responded to their outcry.
Emmanuel Orach, the Nwoya district LCV Chairperson, admitted the problem, saying the district has engaged the management of the factory to find a better waste management system for handling their wastes.
Praviin Kekal, the Director of Bukona Agro-Processors Limited confirmed the community concern saying the company is in the process of procuring an evaporators and dryers which will be use to address the stench from the waste.
According to Praviin, after procuring the evaporators and dryers, the waste from the factory shall be process into organic manure.
