Musanze: Residents decry the overwhelming waste at an overfilled dumpsite
Residents near the public dumpsite in Cyuve Sector are voicing frustrations over the overflowing waste that has brought unbearable stench and pollution to their area. They are urging authorities to address the situation to mitigate the health and environmental hazards caused by the waste.
During a visit to the dumpsite in Bubandu Village, Bukinanyana Cell, the reporter found workers struggling to manage the waste. They were seen shoveling and redistributing piles of trash to create space for new waste deliveries.
One worker explained, “The waste has accumulated to the point of forming a mountain. To create room for new trucks, we manually redistribute the trash using shovels and hoes. This has significantly increased our working hours, and we often work late into the night.”
The dumpsite’s overflow has caused waste to scatter into nearby fields, accompanied by foul odors and swarms of flies that severely affect the surrounding community.
Gaston Zimurinda, a resident, said, “The stench and flies from this dumpsite invade our homes. You can’t cook or eat outside, and even washing dishes feels impossible because flies swarm everywhere. Birds of prey also scavenge here, spreading trash into our compounds and contaminating food. We plead with authorities to find a solution because this dumpsite is clearly beyond capacity.”
Another resident added, “The surrounding farmlands are littered with plastic waste, reducing agricultural productivity. Authorities need to find an alternative dumping site so we can live in peace.”
Previously, the site could accommodate up to 10 garbage trucks daily. However, according to Miriam Nyirazogeye, who oversees the dumpsite, the number has now dropped to a maximum of four trucks per day due to the space constraints.
“When a truck offloads, we have to clear and redistribute waste to create more space, which delays operations,” Nyirazogeye explained. “We have informed district authorities, and they sent a team to assess the situation. For now, we are considering carving out paths within the site to ease truck access while long-term solutions are explored.”
Acting Mayor of Musanze District, Hamiss Bizimana, revealed that plans are underway to construct a modern landfill in Karwasa Cell, Gacaca Sector, in partnership with WASAC.
“We have already started identifying and registering households to be relocated from the proposed site and are finalizing procurement processes for site preparation. Although the timeline isn’t fixed, we are committed to ensuring the new landfill is operational soon,” he said.
Currently, the waste dumped at the site originates from households, public institutions, private businesses, and markets within Musanze town and its outskirts. The dumpsite’s limited capacity and deteriorating access roads have further complicated waste management operations in the area.