The politics of solid waste management in Kampala City: A case study of Nakawa Division

Abstract

Solid Waste Management (SWM) refers to the storage, collection, transportation, recycling, and disposal of solid waste, taking into consideration environmental, social and health factors (Jonathan et al, 2008). Poor waste management in Nakawa division has proved to be a challenge evidenced by the waste littering the main market areas, slums, drainage channels, open spaces and road sides. As a result, there is poor sanitation and reduction in ecosystems services especially in the slum areas heightening the vulnerability of the communities in Nakawa division to catastrophes like diseases and floods.

The objectives of this study were therefore, to establish the level of awareness on solid waste management regulations in the division, examine the existing solid waste management methods, establish the challenges of waste management and identify strategies for improving solid waste management in Nakawa division. This study relied on information acquired from research journals, scholarly research reports, and government documents. Secondary data was supplemented with primary data collected through interviews with key informants from Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA), Ministry of Health, Ministry of Water and Environment and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and randomly selected members of the community in the study area. Focused Group Discussions (FGD) were also held. Qualitative and empirical analytical tools were used to analyse the data collected.

The study findings indicate that, some of the key issues affecting SWM in Nakawa division are; the negative perception of the communities towards waste management, weak implementation of existing laws and regulations on waste management and the lack of a specific policy on waste management, with clear guidelines on the roles of stakeholders. This, consequently, affects the efficiency of delivery of waste management services. According to this study, it is apparent that waste management is a problem in Nakawa division that requires the concerted efforts of all the stakeholders to address it. Therefore, it recommends that; KCCA in collaboration with other relevant authorities should carry out more community sensitization exercises based on clear community segments and increase funding for Solid Waste Management (SWM) equipment and spread them within reach of each household. In addition, NEMA should involve more private operators in SWM using the Public Private Partnership (PPP) approach in waste collection, transportation, storage, and recycling to match the growing demand for these services among other things.