Juba Court Sentences 13 to One Month in Prison Over Improper Waste Disposal

By Awan Achiek

At least 13 people have been sentenced to one month in prison for offences related to improper waste disposal and failure to maintain cleanliness in Juba City, according to a municipal official.

Stephen Lomude, caretaker deputy mayor for Environment and Waste Management, said the arrests were carried out as part of an enforcement campaign aimed at protecting the environment and improving sanitation across the capital.

“Yesterday (Wednesday), we arrested 13 people from businesses, restaurants, markets, and residential areas for offenses including dumping waste on the streets and failing to keep their shops and homes clean. They were taken to court and sentenced to one month in prison,” Lomude told the media on Thursday.

He said the 13 people were arrested on Wednesday from shops, restaurants, markets, and residential areas for allegedly dumping waste on the streets and failing to keep their shops and homes clean.

Lomude warned residents against dumping rubbish on the streets, urinating in public places, or leaving waste in the middle of roads.

“I would like to thank the citizens of Juba City and send a message to all residents within the jurisdiction of Juba City Council,” he said.

“The municipality has begun enforcing laws aimed at protecting the environment and maintaining cleanliness across the city.”

Lomude said an enforcement team had been established to identify and arrest anyone found violating municipal cleanliness regulations.

“I want to urge all residents of Juba to stop dumping waste on the streets. We have established an enforcement team that will arrest anyone found littering, urinating in public places or dumping waste in the middle of the streets,” he said.

He urged residents to keep their waste in designated places until municipal collection teams arrive to remove it.

“We are calling on all citizens to keep their waste in designated places until municipal waste collection teams arrive to collect it. Our collection vehicles will come to remove the waste, so there is no need to dump it on the streets,” he said.

He said municipal waste collection vehicles would collect rubbish from designated locations, warning residents against disposing of it in public spaces.

“Keeping Juba clean is a collective responsibility, and everyone must comply with municipal laws to protect our environment and maintain a clean and healthy city,” he said.