KAMPALA – Bukooli North MP Jamali Ayagalachi has raised concerns over excessive dust pollution caused by trucks transporting sugarcane to Bugiri Sugar Factory, warning that the situation is affecting homes, businesses and the health of residents in Kapyanga Subcounty, Bugiri District.
Raising a matter of national importance before Parliament, Ayagalachi said communities along the road connecting the main road through Kayango to Wufu and Aburugi Subcounty were suffering from persistent dust pollution generated by trucks transporting sugarcane to the factory.
He told Parliament that since the establishment of the factory, several homes and small businesses in the surrounding communities had closed because of the excessive dust.
The legislator further warned that dust and sugarcane particles spreading into nearby communities were exposing residents to respiratory health risks, urging government to intervene before the situation worsened.
Ayagalachi asked the Ministry responsible for industry to ensure that sugarcane loading along roadsides was stopped, citing concerns that the practice was contributing to further damage to the affected roads.
He also called on the factory to provide a water bowser as an immediate intervention to control dust pollution, while urging the Ministry of Works and Transport to engage the factory over its commitment to tarmac the affected road.
The MP emphasised that the road was important because it connected two districts, questioning why authorities had continued to neglect infrastructure used by the surrounding communities.
He also recalled the political controversy surrounding the factory, claiming that the issue had contributed to the removal of his predecessor from Parliament, who had participated in the factory’s establishment.
Ayagalachi appealed to ministers to take the concerns seriously, saying he was determined to continue representing the interests of the people who elected him.
Responding to the concerns, State Minister for Industry David Bahati promised that government would send a team of technical officers to inspect the situation at the factory.
“Tomorrow, we will send a team of technical people to check on that situation of the factory, and I will be working with the Minister of Works to handle the matter,” Bahati told Parliament.
The minister’s response followed Ayagalachi’s appeal for immediate intervention to address dust pollution, protect residents and ensure that the factory fulfils its commitment concerning the affected road.
