HOMEKLIN suffers big blow! Court dismisses Buyala waste management injunction with costs

By Evans Najuna

KAMPALA — Homeklin Uganda Limited has suffered a legal setback in its battle with Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) over waste collection and transportation in Kampala after the High Court dismissed its application for an interim injunction against the city authority.

In an order seen by this  publication dated October 15, 2026, Registrar Kintu Simon Zirintusa dismissed Miscellaneous Application No. 0871 of 2026, arising from Miscellaneous Application No. 0870 of 2026 and Civil Suit No. 0330 of 2026. The court ordered that costs be in the cause.

The decision came amid a wider dispute over Homeklin’s licensing status, its claim to continued waste collection operations and enforcement measures involving its vehicles and staff. In a hard-hitting affidavit, KCCA accused the company of seeking to frustrate its statutory mandate, arguing that the application was premised on illegality and disclosed no imminent threat warranting interim relief.

KCCA CHALLENGES HOMEKLIN’S LICENCE AND RIGHT TO OPERATE

KCCA’s central argument was that Homeklin’s National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) licence expired on March 10, 2025, and had not been renewed. The Authority said a valid NEMA licence is mandatory for waste collection and transportation and claimed Homeklin lacked the recommendation it needed to obtain or renew one.

It also rejected any suggestion that a trade licence entitled Homeklin to collect municipal waste on KCCA’s behalf. According to the Authority, a trade licence permits a company to conduct business subject to applicable requirements but does not create an exclusive concession, contractual entitlement or proprietary right over municipal waste collection.

KCCA further argued that Homeklin’s previous public-private partnership agreements were limited to defined contractual periods and ended upon expiry unless lawfully renewed or extended. It said letters dated July 1, 2024, and April 16, 2025, were issued to maintain essential services while new concession arrangements were being procured—not to extend or renew Homeklin’s contract or guarantee exclusive business.

The Authority also opposed any attempt to rely on investments in trucks, equipment or personnel to compel renewal, arguing that such commercial decisions were made at Homeklin’s own risk. Its position was that previous participation in Kampala’s waste management system did not guarantee future business.

PROCUREMENT DISPUTE ADDS TO LEGAL BATTLE

KCCA said Homeklin participated in bid notice No. KCCA/NCQNS/2025/2026/00931, which invited private entities to provide solid waste management and transportation services in Kampala.

However, the Authority claimed the company failed to meet a mandatory requirement by not submitting a Proposal Securing Declaration Form valid until June 28, 2026, as required by the bidding documents. KCCA said notices identifying the best evaluated bidders were published through the electronic government procurement portal on June 26 and July 27, 2026.

It further argued that Homeklin did not seek administrative review during the applicable standstill period. KCCA maintained that its decisions followed the prescribed bidding requirements and did not reflect an obligation to retain previous service providers.

BUYALA FACILITY ACCESS ALSO CONTESTED

The dispute also covers Homeklin’s access to the Buyala Waste Management Facility. KCCA said access is controlled through authorisation procedures designed to verify the source and type of waste, improve security and ensure the facility can manage incoming waste.

Companies seeking access must apply to KCCA management and attach recommendation letters from the relevant town clerk or chief administrative officer in the areas where the waste is collected. The Authority claimed Homeklin submitted a request without the required documents and was subsequently guided on the procedure.

KCCA added that a minister’s permission for a one-off disposal did not remove the requirement to obtain authorisation from its management. The issue therefore extends beyond contractual rights to whether Homeklin complied with operational controls governing access to the city’s disposal infrastructure.

KCCA DEFENDS ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS

The Authority also defended enforcement actions involving Homeklin vehicles and personnel. It said the company’s vehicles had been impounded and taken into police custody, adding that the owner had not contacted police to claim them.

KCCA cited the prosecution of a person identified as Subbi over allegations of causing a nuisance by littering and dumping garbage in an undesignated area. The Authority said Subbi was remanded to Luzira Prison and later released on bail.

Two other staff members were reportedly detained at Kampala Central Police Station over similar allegations before being released on police bond. KCCA alleged that they later failed to report back as required. It also said it had received complaints about the conduct and service delivery of Homeklin staff and had formally communicated its concerns to the company.

These allegations formed part of KCCA’s defence and should not be mistaken for findings made in the order dismissing the injunction application.

COURT SETBACK, WASTE WAR CONTINUES

The application came up for final disposal on October 14, 2026, with Dr Benson Tusasirwe representing Homeklin and Dennis Byaruhanga appearing for KCCA. The following day, the court dismissed the application and directed that costs be in the cause.

The decision ends Homeklin’s immediate bid for an interim injunction but does not determine the final outcome of the underlying civil suit or the separate substantive injunction application. Nor does it establish that every allegation in KCCA’s affidavit is true.

The case has nevertheless exposed a deepening clash over licensing, expired contracts, procurement requirements, access to waste disposal facilities and enforcement in Kampala. As KCCA defends its regulatory authority and procurement decisions, Homeklin’s legal challenge faces a fresh hurdle following the dismissal of its bid for interim court protection.