For the past few years, waste management has been an escalating challenge in Uganda and Kampala city, where rapid urbanisation and population growth are staining existing systems. With Kampala witnessing a significant influx of residents every year, yet with little or less attention to waste management by the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), the volume of waste generated has surged, leading to public health risk and economic losses.
The regretable Kitezi landfill should be a turning point and lead to the creation of a better waste management infrasture. Many areas in Kampala, including slums lack proper waste collection services. Over the past three months, Green Foster Action has carried out clean ups in different slum areas in Kampala and it is appaling how the waste management issue is being handled in these areas and Kampala as a whole.
There are many worrying forms of waste disposal whose sensitization alone may not be enough. The dumping of human refuse in the trenches that carry water endangers the lives of everyone and could lead to break out of epidemics. The many heaps of garbage that are in almost every corner are breeding grounds for disease vectors and could lead to outbreaks such as cholera and malaria. There is urgent need to separate the garbage areas away from the people and treat.
Even though there is commendable plastic collection and recycling done by various organisations, the gap is still big. There is a need for more players to come on board.
The government must priotize waste management through comprehensive policies and community engagements. The work done by grassroot communities organisations is great and adding bricks to the solution but there is more effort needed from the government to amplify such efforts to more communities.
Investing in rampant media campaigns can significantly add a lot to the sensitization. Involving other stakeholders like the media, organisations, companies, grassroot communities in waste management practices is crucial in fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility. Providing seed funding and availing opportunities to start ups in the circular economy could be one of the greatest push to the creation of a working infrastructure for waste management.
A claener healthier Kampala and Uganda at large is within reach if we commit to responsible waste management practices. The time is now!
