Waste Management and Recycling Infrastructure Assessment
In Uganda, the rapid population growth in the urban areas has greatly outpaced the ability of the urban authorities to provide adequate housing, roads, water supplies, sewers, and collection of solid waste.
- Although the environmental problems associated with garbage do not disappear with collection, uncollected garbage exacerbates many of the environmental hazards associated with urban centers; such hazards include fire, pests and disease vectors which create human health problems.
- Uncontrolled disposal by burning and dumping adds to atmospheric and hydrologic pollution loads, clogs waterways and increases the danger of flooding, which has been experienced in some parts of the country.
- Solid waste management in Kampala city is done by the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) assisted by some private garbage collectors and in other towns; it’s the responsibility of the town council: Waste Management - KAMPALA CAPITAL CITY AUTHORITY | For a better City (kcca.go.ug)
Generally, few materials are recycled for use.
- Plans are underway by the government to establish a waste recycling plant that will produce fertilizers, generate power and a host of other materials, including job creation for those involved.
- Current challenges encountered by KCCA are issues of open dumping, lack of adequate transport receptacles and vehicles, lack of spare parts, corrosion of the waste containers.
Non-Hazardous Waste Disposal:
Solid waste generated in the city is largely composed of vegetable matter from discarded foods.
- Household waste consisting of wet organic materials and only about 10% of the households in the city are served by KCCA, assisted by other private garbage collection firms, while the remaining waste is disposed of by the generating households.
- Waste from markets is mainly raw vegetable matter, food refuse, and some scrap metal and other inorganic materials.
- Street waste is generated from street sweeping and consist of sand, litter, and drain cleanings, animal faeces and actual dead animals.
- Construction and demolition wastes include lumber, pipes, bricks, masonry, and other construction materials from cleared building sites.
- Abandoned vehicles, as well as special waste generated from hospitals, slaughterhouses and cesspool waste are problems of special importance.
Hazardous Waste Disposal:
Hazardous waste is described as waste that causes un-acceptable risk to public health and the environment: National Environment Management Authority (nema.go.ug).
- The quantity of hazardous waste reported in here is that collected by the various NEMA licensed hazardous waste agents.
- The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) collects information on solid waste collected (tons) from KCCA and other selected Municipalities across the country.
- The E-waste generated depends on the quantities placed on the market and various life spans for the various categories.
