ARUA CITY GRAPPLES WITH MOUNTING GARBAGE AS ABANDONED TRUCK RAISES WASTE MANAGEMENT CONCERNS

By Dramadri Federick

Arua City is grappling with mounting volumes of garbage amid concerns over the abandonment of a garbage collection truck that has reportedly remained unrepaired for more than a decade, raising questions about public asset management and the city’s capacity to keep pace with growing waste generation.

The truck, registration number UAR 002Y, is lying in a bush at Arua Central Division headquarters in Oli, with visibly deteriorated tyres and a rusted body. The vehicle, which was previously used by the former Arua Municipal Council, has reportedly undergone several unsuccessful repair attempts.

Its prolonged abandonment comes at a time when city authorities are relying on three garbage collection trucks shared among Arua Central Division, Ayivu Division and Arua City Council to manage approximately 250 tonnes of garbage generated daily.

The scale of waste generation presents a significant logistical challenge for the three administrative entities, particularly when vehicles require maintenance or are unavailable for collection duties.

Garbage piles up in the city centre.

Garbage dumped along school road in Arua Central Division. Photo//Dramadri Federick

Nadia Idi Hassan, the female councillor representing Awindiri Ward on the Arua Central Division council, says garbage has been accumulating in several parts of the city, including the central business area, where some waste is reportedly being dumped along roads.

Hassan attributes the situation partly to inadequate funding for vehicle repairs and maintenance, warning that the accumulation of waste is affecting the cleanliness of the city.

“Garbage has been piling in the whole of Arua City, especially in the heart of the city. It is causing a lot of choking, especially when people dump garbage on the road,” Hassan said.

Her concerns highlight the difficulties local authorities face in maintaining regular waste collection while responding to the growing demand for sanitation services.

Garbage left uncollected along roads and in public spaces can obstruct pedestrian movement, create unpleasant surroundings and increase the risk of environmental pollution. Where waste contains decomposing organic matter, it can also produce offensive odours and attract flies and other disease-carrying pests.

However, the extent to which the current accumulation of garbage has affected public health and the environment in Arua City requires further assessment.

Abandoned truck considered for auction

Rare view of the abandoned garbage truck. Photo// Dramadri Federick.

Samsa Alia, the Deputy Mayor of Arua Central Division, says the abandoned truck has deteriorated to a point where further repairs may no longer be practical.

According to Alia, the vehicle was used by the former municipal council, and several attempts to restore it to service were unsuccessful.

“That was the truck used long ago by Arua Municipal Council, and we tried repairing it several times, but we failed. The engineers have recommended that this time we should auction it since it cannot be repaired anymore,” Alia explained.

The proposed auction would mark the end of the vehicle’s service life, subject to the relevant administrative procedures. However, it also raises questions about the cost of previous repairs, the truck’s maintenance history and the measures taken to replace its waste collection capacity.

The vehicle’s condition illustrates the operational challenges that can arise when public service equipment becomes unusable. Without adequate replacement arrangements, the loss of even one collection truck can place additional pressure on the remaining fleet.

It remains unclear how much the division has spent attempting to repair the truck over the years, whether a formal assessment of its current value has been completed and when the proposed auction will take place.

Sh10.4 million allocated for maintenance and refuse loading

Samsa Alia, the Deputy Mayor of Arua Central Division speaking from her office at Central division Headquarters during the media interview. Photo//Dramadri Federick

Available expenditure figures indicate that Sh11 million is required for garbage truck maintenance, while Sh93 million is allocated for refuse loading, bringing the combined expenditure to Sh104 million.

The figures point to the financial demands associated with keeping waste collection services operational, from maintaining vehicles to loading refuse for transportation and disposal.

However, the allocation for refuse loading is substantially higher than the amount indicated for truck maintenance. The figures alone do not establish whether the resources are sufficient to meet the city’s waste management needs, given the daily volume of garbage generated and the number of trucks available.

A clearer assessment would require information on the period covered by the expenditure figures, the source of funding, actual disbursements, maintenance costs per vehicle and the quantity of waste collected and transported.

It would also be important to establish whether the three operating trucks are consistently available, how frequently they break down and whether the current fleet can adequately serve all the areas under the city and division authorities.

Pressure on the city’s waste management system

With approximately 250 tonnes of garbage reportedly generated every day, Arua City faces a demanding waste collection task. The three trucks shared among the city authority and the two divisions are expected to support collection across their respective areas, placing pressure on the available equipment and logistical resources.

The prolonged absence of truck UAR 002Y from service raises questions about whether the authorities have a comprehensive fleet replacement plan and how they intend to address the increasing demand for waste collection.

It also highlights the importance of routine vehicle servicing, timely repairs and proper management of public assets to prevent service interruptions.

Beyond the availability of trucks, effective waste management depends on reliable fuel supplies, sufficient personnel, accessible collection points, appropriate disposal facilities and public cooperation in disposing of waste responsibly.

Residents and businesses also have a role to play by using designated waste collection points and avoiding indiscriminate dumping along roads and in other public spaces. Nevertheless, sustained improvements depend on the availability and reliability of public waste collection services.

Questions over accountability and future plans

The abandoned truck has brought renewed attention to the management of public equipment and the resources required to maintain essential urban services.

Key questions remain about the circumstances that led to the vehicle’s prolonged disuse, the expenditure incurred on unsuccessful repairs and the steps taken to ensure that its loss does not further undermine garbage collection.

The proposed auction also raises questions about how proceeds, if any, would be accounted for and whether the authorities intend to reinvest in replacement equipment.

When contacted for comment, Frank Kasule, the Town Clerk of Arua Central Division, said he had been transferred and could not respond to matters affecting Arua City or the division.

His response left questions about the division’s current plans for the abandoned truck and the wider waste management challenges unanswered.

The relevant city and division authorities would need to clarify whether additional trucks have been planned or budgeted for, how the existing fleet is being maintained and what measures are being considered to improve the frequency and coverage of garbage collection.

For residents and businesses, the central concern remains whether the available resources and equipment can keep pace with the city’s daily waste generation.

As Arua City continues to grapple with mounting garbage, the condition of truck UAR 002Y underscores the need for clear information on public asset management, sustainable maintenance funding and practical measures to strengthen waste collection services.

Written by newsroom-radiopacis