| dc.description.abstract | The study was motivated by conflicting reports about the influence of community education, the performance of KCCA and the private sector in the collection and disposal of solid waste in Kampala city and the challenges they encounter. The study aimed to assess how the management of solid waste in Kampala city could be enhanced by strengthening community education alongside other interventions. The main objectives were; 1) To examine the influence of community education on waste management. 2)To compare the performance of Government /KCCA and the Private sector in solid waste collection and disposal; 3) To identify education related challenges faced by KCCA and the Private sector in collection and disposal of solid waste in Kampala city. A cross sectional survey research design was used because of the heterogeneous nature of the study population. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative methods. Multistage sampling technique was used to obtain the sample from the various categories of respondents. In addition purposeful sampling technique was used to determine key informants. The sample size comprised of 985 respondents consisting of KCCA and Private sector staff, workers and the Public. Four main methods of data collection, namely questionnaire, observation, interview and documentary review were used in the study. The data obtained was analyzed using one way ANOVA, and Turkey’s post hoctest and while qualitative data was analyzed thematically and used to augment quantitative data.The study established that more effective public education improves several aspects of waste management particularly waste management at the source and waste disposal practices. The study revealed that 604,814 tons of SW collected and disposed of by the private sector from 2008-2012 were more than those of KCCA/KCC (570,518 tons). However, during 2011- 2012, when KCC was transformed into KCCA, the Authority performed better than the Private sector because of improvement in administration and community education. By 2012 40% of the solid waste generated was collected and disposed of at the landfill; approximately 60% remains uncollected and accumulates in the environment polluting land and water resources. The organizations involved in community education on waste collection and disposal are facing challenges of funding. The availability of such funds would enhance acquisition of logistical and technological resources for the waste management education programs as well as strengthening human resources capacity in solid waste management. There is also a weak regulatory and institutional framework on solid waste collection and disposal in the city. However the study established that education is gradually increasing community involvement in waste management. The study concludes that community education by the different actors is improving waste management in the city. Furthermore, improvements in management structures of public institutions translated into better and more efficient management of solid waste, even when compared to the private sector. The key determinant appears to be effective supervision and motivation of staff and workers.In light of these findings, the study recommends that both KCCA and other organizations should be provided with adequate funds in order to strengthen education of communities with emphasis on waste separation at the source and promote waste re-use, recycle, recovery and composting that would reduce environmental pollution and the cost of waste disposal. KCCA should formulate a viable, vibrant and realistic regulatory framework on waste management and strengthen its enforcement. The researcher suggests that further research is conducted on the management of other forms of waste including electronic waste in Kampala city. | en_US |
