There were tears and shock on Wednesday when the operatives of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) closed Mukwano Soap factory for allegedly failing to comply with laws governing environment.

The KCCA officials told us that Mukwano soap factory had failed to stop the emission of smoke, and sewage into Nakivubo Channel. And that Mukwano soap factory did not have toilets.

The KCCA director, Semakula Musisi says that Mukwano soap factory did not respect advises from KCCA. She says that the council has been advising Mukwano to improve on its sanitation in vain. The operation to close down Mukwano factory was commandeered by  Dr John Lule, the KCCA principal health officer.

The KCCA officials says that before they can reopen Mukwano soap factory, the council wants to first make sure that the soap factory has changed its combustion system from biomass to another appropriate energy source.

Dr. Lule says that Mukwano soap factory did not have a NEMA environmental audit report proving that their emission levels are safe to the public.