Soroti City Mayor Francis Esudu Outlines Plans to Tackle Garbage, Trade Disorder, and Transport Challenges.

By Peterson Hiirya.

Soroti City Mayor Francis Esudu has unveiled a series of measures aimed at addressing key urban challenges, including garbage management, trade order, transport regulation, and market organization within the city.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ engagement meeting at Soroti City Council Hall on Thursday , attended by division mayors, Members of Parliament Calvin Echodu and Moses Attan, and city officials, Esudu said the city leadership had agreed to hold weekly planning meetings every Tuesday involving the three division mayors and town clerks.

“We have agreed to sit together every Tuesday and plan for the city. We have discussed roads, garbage management, and trade orders. The challenges are there, but what is important is having a work plan and a clear timeframe,” Esudu said.

Garbage Management Strategy.

The mayor acknowledged that garbage management remains one of the city’s biggest challenges but stressed that sustainable solutions require proper planning.

According to Esudu, the city plans to decongest Soroti Main Market and ensure that only appropriate goods are sold there.

He revealed that the city intends to develop Kigandani Market within the next three months and relocate traders currently operating without designated spaces.

He explained that food loading and offloading activities would be shifted to Kigandani Market, reducing congestion and improving waste management in the central business area.

The city also plans to strengthen partnerships with private garbage collection companies and enforce waste collection requirements for both residential and commercial property owners.

“If you own a building, whether residential or commercial, there must be evidence that a garbage collection company is serving that property,” Esudu said.

Transport and Traffic Management.

To address traffic congestion caused by taxis and buses stopping at unauthorized locations, the mayor said the city plans to establish gazetted transport terminals along major highways.

Under the proposed arrangement, public service vehicles leaving the main taxi park will be required to proceed directly to designated stopover points outside the city centre instead of picking passengers along major streets.

Esudu said the measure would only be implemented after alternative terminals have been established to ensure smooth operations for transport operators and passengers.

Market Reorganization.

The city leadership also plans to reorganize trading activities across several markets.

After developing Kigandani Market, authorities intend to relocate second-hand clothes and shoe traders to Kichinjaji Market before later focusing on Nakatunya Market for agricultural produce.

The mayor emphasized that the city would avoid forceful evictions and instead provide alternative trading spaces before implementing enforcement measures.

“These are our people and taxpayers. Driving them away without providing solutions is not the answer,” he said.

Role of Boda Boda Riders.

Esudu further revealed plans to register all boda boda riders operating within Soroti City and involve them in maintaining cleanliness and order.

He said riders could support enforcement efforts by helping identify and report individuals who litter or violate city regulations.

Soroti Regional Referral Hospital Project.

The mayor also highlighted challenges affecting the planned expansion of Soroti Regional Referral Hospital.

According to Esudu, the Ministry of Health is waiting for a land title covering 50 acres currently held by Soroti University under the Ministry of Education. He noted that development partners, including the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), are reportedly ready to support construction projects once the land ownership issue is resolved.

Call for Collaboration.

Esudu said most of the city’s plans are still in the consultation stage, noting that the newly elected city leadership has been in office for only one month.

He called for cooperation between city leaders, Members of Parliament, and other stakeholders to develop ordinances, approve strategic plans, and implement long-term solutions for the city’s development.

The mayor thanked stakeholders for attending the engagement meeting and pledged continued consultation as the city works to improve service delivery and urban management