Adah Nkorenta Ojur, the Greater Masaka Site Manager of Child Restoration Outreach, a non-governmental organization focused on rehabilitating and resettling victims of abuse, expressed concern about the growing number of children roaming the streets of Masaka City instead of attending school.
The bodies are believed to be of people who once owned a home next to the main entrance of the Uganda National Roads Authority-UNRA Masaka zonal regional offices located in Kijjabwemi B cell, Kimanya-Kabonera division.
Two years after they were granted city status, the leadership of Masaka has considered organizing the first-ever city carnival as a platform to market its tourism potential and investment opportunities; a four-day socialization event, which will take place between July 29 and July 31, 2022.
Charles Kwewayo Kiyimba, an opinion leader and landlord in Masaka city, says that the traditional urban centre has gradually been losing its civility, shared values and unique humane character that best described the people living in it.
Godfrey Kalema, one of the child vendors, says that they do not have money for school fees and other requirements, which has forced them to remain on the street.
These children some young as six years of age are now engaged in selling of vegetables, fruits, and other foodstuffs in markets, on streets, while others are also involving themselves in hawking; where they carry their merchandise to their targeted customers in different places including homes.
Martin Kigozi, the Senior Physical Planer Masaka City, says that the decision is aimed at ensuring a properly planned town with green spaces to avoid congestion. He says that they intend to have a city with enough trees and grass to provide a healthy environment.
Pauline Nabadda, the Masaka City Environment Officer reveals that the decision to privatize garbage management in the town was reached upon following the chronic failure by the local government to effectively manage the solid waste materials in the area.
Jerome Olowo Stowell, the board architect, says the building committee will re-inspect the building after construction for issuance of an occupancy permit, adding that no building will be allowed to be occupied without an occupational permit.
