SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

A case study of Kampala City.

1.0 Introduction/ Background
There is a problem in Kampala which is failure to put in place appropriate institutional
mechanisms to fully address the solid waste management question. Solid waste management
practices are vital component of environmental infrastructure in human settlements in Kampala.
These practices include all activities associated with the management of Kampala solid waste
from the point of waste generation up to the final disposal. It is important to note that the solid
waste management in Kampala is controlled by Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) which
contracts established companies like Nabugabo Updeal Venture and others to collect waste from
the city on their behalf. These companies charge varying and exorbitant fees from the residents
which hinders garbage collection especially from those who cannot afford the charges.

The inadequate management capacity in the city has constrained the ability of the authority to
provide basic collection and disposal services, resulting into numerous social and environmental
ills.

Mtey (2005) and Vincent (2000) report that between one-third and one-half of the solid waste
generated within most cities in low and middle-income countries is not collected. They usually
end up as illegal dumps on streets, open spaces and wetland; and the consequences to have never
been favorable to flora and fauna.

2.0 Research problem/ Problem statement

Poor solid waste collection and disposal is a threat to public health and reduces the quality of life
for Kampala city residents in most or all parts of Kampala. KCCA has failed to address the
problem of solid waste management in the city evidenced by roadside heaps of uncollected
waste, waste within the neighborhoods and around residential buildings and in different places of
the city. The authority contracted private companies like Nabugabo Updeal Venture and others
to handle the issue of solid waste collection in the city and these companies have failed to
provide the required services in Kampala as expected by the authority and city residents.
Therefore, failure to address

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waste management related issues is expected to lead to poor sanitation and environmental
contaminations.

3.0 Purpose of the study

The purpose of this study is to assess the existing solid waste management practices, problems
related and approaches to address solid waste management challenges in Kampala.

4.0 Objectives
4.1 Main Objective
To streamline the solid waste management system in Kampala through development of a mobile
based application.

4.2 Specific objectives

To bridge the communication gap between the collector companies and the people.
To design strategies to overcome waste management challenges in Kampala.
To reduce the delay in duration of pickup of the solid waste.
To clear the ambiguity in the prices of solid waste collection.
To fairly distribute the collection means with regards to location and frequency of solid
waste occurrence.

5.0 Research Question

How can solid waste management system be streamlined in Kampala?

5.1 Sub questions

• How should communication gap between the collector companies and the people be
bridged?
• What are design strategies to overcome waste management challenges in Kampala?
• How can delays in duration of pickup of the solid waste be reduced?
• How does clearance of ambiguity in the prices of solid waste collection improve solid
waste management system?
• How can collection of garbage with regards to location and frequency of solid waste
occurrence be fairly distributed?