Waste management actors demand collaboration in solving Kampala’s garbage crisis
The Waste Managers’ Association of Uganda (WMAU) has called for greater collaboration with the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and national stakeholders.
During a strategic planning session, the private waste actors presented a communique outlining actionable solutions to achieve sustainable waste management in the capital.
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The meeting, convened under the stewardship of newly appointed KCCA Executive Director Frank Rusa, highlighted the vital role private waste managers play in resolving Kampala’s waste issues.
Representing a sector with over 39 years of experience, WMAU emphasized the pressing need for partnerships, policy inclusion, and government support to tackle the city's mounting waste problem.
Kampala generates more waste than its public infrastructure can manage. According to WMAU, rapid urbanization, industrialization, population growth, and shifting consumption patterns have overwhelmed the city’s outdated systems.
The August 2024 Kiteezi landfill disaster, which exposed the inadequacies of Kampala's waste management infrastructure, served as a wake-up call.
“Waste is no longer just an environmental concern but a public health issue,” Bryan Toshi Bwana, WMAU Chairperson said, pointing to the growing health risks posed by poor waste disposal practices and limited recycling efforts.
To reverse the crisis, WMAU proposed several short-term and long-term measures:
Segregation at Source: Incentivizing households to sort waste at the point of generation through awareness campaigns.
Waste Banks and Transfer Stations: Establishing localized hubs to streamline recycling efforts and reduce landfill dependence.
Solid Waste Composting: Turning organic waste into fertilizer to support agricultural enterprises.
Waste Shredding: Reducing the volume of waste for easier transport to recycling centers.
Mass Stakeholder Engagement Campaigns: Launching awareness drives starting December 2024.
The association also called for tax waivers on waste management equipment, technical support for recycling initiatives, and incentives for innovations in waste reduction, reuse, and recycling.
In the communique, WMAU urged President Museveni to prioritize sustainable waste management by integrating private waste actors into key policy forums.
They also requested a meeting with the Speaker of Parliament and the leader of government business to chart a way forward.
The group proposed forming strategic committees involving KCCA, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), and the Internal Security Organization (ISO) to ensure comprehensive planning and execution of waste management policies.
“We are ready to share our expertise and resources with government stakeholders. Our members have already proven capable, of reducing landfill tonnage through recycling since 2013. With adequate support, we can scale these initiatives," Bwana noted.
WMAU commended recent capacity-building workshops funded by KCCA, Water and Life, and Oribags, which equipped private actors with tools to rethink waste as a resource.
However, they emphasized the need for further investment in infrastructure and community engagement to turn the tide on Kampala’s waste woes.
As Kampala grapples with its waste management crisis, the communique from WMAU is a timely reminder of the need for a unified approach.
The private sector’s willingness to partner with government stakeholders offers a glimmer of hope for a cleaner, healthier city.
For now, the city waits to see if these proposed solutions will translate into lasting change.
