Non-motorized transport corridors – NMT in Kampala are turned into a garbage collection centres.
Non-motorized transport in the form of walking, cycling and cycle rickshaws play an important role in cities. It is the primary mode of transport for the urban poor, and at the same time a climate and environmentally friendly form of transport.
The NMT corridor stretches from Namirembe road through Luwum street to Entebbe road is one of them.
It was meant for cyclists and pedestrians while cargo trucks would be allowed only between 10 pm and 6 am to load and offload goods.
Last month, KCCA evicted Boda Bodas off the street in an effort to de-congest the corridor and enforce its proper usage. But a section of the NMT is littered with garbage, causing discomfort among the pedestrians.
Paul Kisambila the LCI Vice Chairperson of Luwum Street Village LCI says that before the construction of the NMT, garbage was being collected from another place. He says that the heaps of garbage are inconveniencing businesses and putting the lives of the NMT users at risk.
According to Kisambila, Nabugabo Up deal, the company responsible for collecting garbage in the city has turned the NTM into a garbage collection point.
Sarah Nanyunja who sells shoes around the area, says that KCCA has done nothing to address the problem.
“We put our rubbish in drums which are in every building but when KCCA collects the garbage, it is placed in front of our businesses. puts them in that place,” Nanyunja said.
Robert Kalumba, the KCCA Spokesperson in a telephone interview said that the authority is not aware of heaps of garbage at the NMT, but says that they are going to investigate the matter and take the necessary measures.
The NMT cost up to 3 billion shillings and was commissioned last year.
Non-motorised transport (NMT) is often a key element of successfully encouraging clean urban transport. It can be a very attractive mode of transport for relatively short distances, which make up the largest share of trips in cities.
The key to reversing the trend towards more private vehicle use is making walking and cycling attractive, together with improving public transport.
This can be done by a range of activities including construction of sidewalks and bike lanes, bike sharing programmes, urban planning and pedestrian-oriented development. NMT is a highly cost-effective transportation strategy and brings about large health, economic and social co-benefits, particularly for the urban poor.