SCHOOL OF LAW

BACHELOR OF LAWS (BLAW) YEAR 1 SEMESTER 1

DEVELOPMENT STUDIES L1107 COURSE WORK

GROUP MEMBERS
NAME REGISTRATION NO. STUDENT NO.
OKELLO ELIOT OTWAO 23/U/1304 2300701304

MPUMURA RYAN ARNOLD 23/U/3776/PS 2300703776

KALANZI KIZITO PIUS 23/U/3707/PS 2300703707

KALANZI ANDREW 23/U/3708/PS 2300703708

KATO HUSSAIN 23/U/3721/PS 2300703721

LECTURER: MR. JOSEPH MUKASA

INTRODUCTION

Poorly disposed waste along one of the water channels in Katanga Slum.

Waste management is the collection, transport, processing or disposal, managing and monitoring
of waste materials. The term usually relates to materials produced by human activity, and the
process is generally undertaken to reduce their effect on health, the environment or aesthetics.

Waste management is a critical global issue that affects both urban and rural environments, with
profound implications for public health, the environment, and the overall quality of life. While
waste management challenges are prevalent in many parts of the world, they are acutely
pronounced in densely populated urban areas, particularly in informal settlements known as
slums. One such slum that grapples with the formidable challenge of waste management is
Katanga, a community located in the heart of Kampala, the vibrant capital city of Uganda.
Management of waste is gradually becoming a major challenge in developing countries as a
result of urbanization and industrialization.

In 2012, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) took steps to improve the solid waste
management (SWM) services in the city through engagement of the private sector and the
possible commercial utilization of refuse products and landfill gas through a Public Private
Partnership (PPP) project. According to KCCA, the collection rate for solid waste has increased
from 35% in 2016 to 59% in 2023 through collaborations with the private sector. This means
over 40 percent of 2,500 tons (1,000 tons) of waste generated on a daily basis in Kampala
remains uncollected. All collected waste is disposed at Kiteezi, which is almost filled up. Apart
from the imminent lack of capacity and operational and environmental issues, Kiteezi (which
opened in 1993) was not designed in accordance with international best practice. Though the city
authority is working so hard to manage wastes, poor waste management remains one of the main
challenges affecting most of the areas in Kampala.

This report is an analysis of a field study on waste management in Katanga settlement,

Wandegeya parish, Kawempe Division in Kampala Metropolitan. The specific objectives of our
field study were identify the nature of wastes and the sources of solid waste generated by
households, the disposal methods adopted in the community, and the effects of poor waste
disposal on the community and environment.
In this report, we present our findings, analyze the root causes of the waste management crisis,
and offer a range of recommendations for action. The magnitude of this challenge cannot be
underestimated. With limited access to the basic necessities of life, such as clean water, adequate
healthcare, and education, the residents of Katanga slum find themselves further marginalized by
the menacing presence of waste. Overcrowded living conditions, lack of sanitation facilities, and
insufficient waste collection services have catalyzed a perfect storm that threatens public health,
environmental sustainability, and the community's overall quality of life.

BACKGROUND
Done in the heart of Katanga slum, our field-based
research unravels the intricate web of waste management
challenges that grip this community. Katanga is one of the
biggest slums in Kampala, with a population of over
23,000 people, of which more than 50% are children of
very low socio-economic status. The slum has a large
number of sex workers, vendors, and brewers of local
alcoholic drinks. Despite the facts that around 28000 tons
of waste (this only represents forty percent of the wastes )
are collected and delivered to the landfills every month,
about sixty percent is uncollected waste which is either
dumped or burnt.
Katanga, like numerous other slums across the globe, is
emblematic of the intricate web of problems that plague
these informal settlements. The community is
characterized by overcrowded and haphazardly
constructed dwellings, limited access to clean water and sanitation facilities, and inadequate
infrastructure. Within this backdrop, waste management emerges as a pressing and multifaceted
predicament. The residents of Katanga, already burdened by the daily struggle for survival, must
also contend with the mounting piles of uncollected waste, a stark reminder of the challenges
they face.

METHODS & RESULTS OF DATA COLLECTION

OBSERVATION: We took a simple walk through the area of study and observed that the
dominant type of waste is organic or food waste from residential areas. Sacs are widely used by
households to store their solid waste at home although reported to be poorly handled. While
waste bins and containers are used as waste disposal methods, some residents are not aware of
the dynamics of waste collection.
This can affect their perceptions of responsibility coupled with management failure to meeting
its obligation. There is need for continuous collaboration and joint efforts between the residents,
private partners and Kampala City Council Authority towards sustainable
management of wastes. We also noticed that most parts of the slum were infested with waste
especially the drainage systems (emyala) and open areas that weren't made for
garbage collection.

INFORMAL OR IN DEPTH INTERVIEWS: We

interacted with several members of the community who
highlighted some of the causes and challenges faced due
to poor waste management in the area. Our informal
interviews revealed that majority of respondents have
been in the study area for a good period of time and
therefore are in position to provide information about
waste generation and management due to their
experience. One of the residents, who owns a small shop
in the area, brought to our knowledge that one of the
reasons for poor waste management was the negligence
of the dwellers of the area. She added that people
carelessly dump waste anywhere without taking into
account the effects of such uncivilized actions. She said
that the leaders had also neglected curbing the problem
and focused of issues she deemed to be of less
importance to the general public in the area and stressed
out how there's lack of proper waste disposal units. We
also found out that Plastics were the most generated type
of solid waste and the least being electronics and hair
Sacks were the mostly used materials to gather the
generated solid waste in homes. Wheel barrows were the
only equipment used in transportation of solid waste
from homes to collection centres. The major challenge

One of our group members interviewing a

encountered in solid waste management at household level was, high spread of diseases like
cholera and malaria in about half of the households of the respondents. The major solution
suggested by respondents to overcome solid waste management challenges at household level
was, provision of enough and free sacks and dust bins to the public and was suggested by at least
half of the respondents. One of the local leaders also narrated how the slum only has just about
10 pit latrines. Therefore, there’s poor disposal of human waste too and it is no doubt that the
area suffers several diseases as a result of poor hygiene and disposal of human waste.

Some of the main causes of the challenge of waste management include the following;-
Katanga lacks proper waste collection and disposal infrastructure such as a common
dumping field, and recycling facilities. Within the congested community of Katanga, some
households without toilet facilities resort to easing themselves in polyethene bags “flying
toilets" (faecal matter in polythene bags) and throw these in dumping sites, drainage channels or
any place of their convenience. Such practices lead to easy spread of diseases like cholera and
dysentery spread by houseflies and other vectors. Most of the respondents we communicated
with Katanga use sacs to store their house hold waste although they are mishandled in most cases
and the waste is let loose on the streets.
Inadequate education and awareness about the importance of proper waste disposal in
Katanga. There are few education programs for Solid Waste Management (SWM) in Katanga. It
could also be due to failure by the local council authorities to effectively develop a curriculum
for solid waste management education in Katanga. The population remains uninformed about the
dangers of reckless and improper waste disposal such as disease spread, other individuals think
waste collection and disposal is the sole responsibility of KCCA and has maintained a negative
attitude towards the same. This lack of awareness has led to instances where waste bins have
been stolen and sold as scrap or at times even mishandled and damages.
Shortage of waste management personnel and equipment. Although at the managerial level,
KCCA has adequate skilled personnel who have relevant professional qualifications, the number
of staff at the operational level is grossly inadequate and this challenge extends to Katanga hence
a major hindrance to the provision of a sustainable solid waste management system in the town.
There a few numbers of workers and cleaners to counter the huge amount of waste generated on
a daily basis by the Katanga people, moreover that is poorly disposed. This issue is aggravated
with the ill-equipment of the already few workers and existing equipment is far from reaching
the optimum levels. Cleaning apparatus such as broom, spades, and refuse trucks among others
are in limited stock in the stores of Katanga’s local council.
Squatter status of many Katanga dwellers. KCCA has over time failed to achieve satisfactory
waste collection level in Katanga, which are met in other areas of Kampala because slum
dwellers may not have formal property rights or legal recognition, making it challenging to
demand waste management services or raise complaints to the concerned authorities that may
make them feel like they are not entitled to have waste transported away from near their residents
by the responsible government institutions thus they do not go to demand these services them
from the authorities because they are not legally situated in those areas. Some of these people
occupy space where the drainage channels are supposed to be located.
Inadequate funding levels. Limited financing from KCCA and the central government has
lessened recruitment of technical staff and personnel to handle solid waste management. It was
revealed in interviews that waste workers in Katanga are few which increases the challenges of
waste collection and disposal in Katanga. Additionally, SWM awareness programs are not
adequately funded hence there are few sensitization sessions on garbage collection and disposal.
Katanga authorities are unable to acquire garbage trucks, rubbish bins or to set up proper
drainage channels for sewerage movement. The technical staff reported that inadequate funding
has led to poor repairs and maintenance of tools and equipment.
Poor road networks. Katanga is a slum and is littered with
shanty housing units compressed within a small area.
Haphazard housing does not consider provision of services,
because such housing plans in shanty areas have contributed
to poor road networks which do not allow accessibility to SW
collection points by refuse trucks or efficient cleaning
services. One resident, by the name Ssemanda Ivan, informed
us that garbage collecting services cannot access most
households to take their waste due to the poor road network in
Katanga. This disorganization and congestion further allow
neither room for collection points or proper functioning
drainage channels since the population is competing for living
space. Consequently, sewerage around Katanga unabatedly
finds its way to ungazetted areas.
Some of our group leaders navigating
the narrow and filthy corridors in
Katanga Slum.
Our team on ground, observing the plight of Katanga locals. The residents of Katanga have had to put
up with living in a filthy and waste infested environment.
The waste management challenges in Katanga slum necessitate a comprehensive approach if
they are to be solved. Guided by our field study and well-focused group discussions, the
following are probable solutions that we think will address the unique circumstances of the
community while emphasizing community engagement, environmental responsibility, and
strategic partnerships. These recommendations offer a pathway towards a cleaner, healthier, and
more sustainable future for Katanga, and they implore local authorities, KCCA and local
residents to take effective action to resolve the waste management crisis. They are as follows:-
Waste and garbage collection and transportation. The Katanga authorities should extend
door to door rubbish collecting services to the people at a fair and reasonable fee. To do this, the
authorities may contract with more private corporations who shall collect garbage from
households and businesses at regular intervals within the week and transport it to gazetted areas
more frequently. Waste or garbage in Katanga is collected monthly. This rate is not enough for
such a place that is buried in filth. Contracting more private corporations shall not only ensure
proper waste management in Katanga but also reduce the risk of contracting diseases such as
cholera, typhoid and other diseases associated with unhygienic practices.
Waste/ sewerage treatment: There is a large fraction of organic waste generated in Katanga and
hence there is huge potential for resource recovery through the introduction of Anaerobic
Digestion (AD) and compost systems which are eco-friendly. Anaerobic digesters can be
employed to treat the large quantities of biodegradable waste contained in wastewater on a large
scale. The Katanga local authorities, with support and in partnership with the government can set
up a wastewater treatment plant. The sludge, as a residue from the wastewater, can be used as
manure in farms or in bio-digesters for biogas.
Recycling Plastic garbage in Katanga is left uncollected and ends up in drainage channels,
wetlands, natural water sources, manholes, and undeveloped plots and on the roadside. Increase
the number of conveniently located recycling bins, both for household waste and specific
categories such as paper, plastic, glass, and metal. Recycling plants or facilities should be
established with a mission to curb poor waste through collecting, cleaning and processing
plastics and creatively transforming them into backpacks, shopping bags, cross bags among
others. Further, youths in Katanga can earn a living through designing old car tyres into lugabire
sandals. Recycling conserves natural resources and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Recycling
plastic waste also reduces environmental pollution by decreasing the amount of plastic that ends
up in landfills and water bodies. Reusable Practices can also be encouraged among the Katanga
population. Businesses and households should adopt reusable practices such as reusable bags,
bottles, and containers and reduce single-use items.
Co-operation with local businesses and individuals; Katanga authorities may collaborate and
encourage businesses such as shops in the area to adopt proper waste management practices such
as substituting the kaveera (polythene bags) that are a major challenge because they are not
biodegradable, with paper bags that are more eco-friendly for packaging in addition to having
rubbish bins to avoid littering among others. Many people within Katanga are ignorant of the
danger of careless littering and dumping of rubbish thus the public should be made aware about
proper waste management techniques and the affiliated dangers such as diseases like cholera.
Penalties and fines; To improve solid waste management, there is need to enforce laws against
illegal dumping. It should be declared a criminal offence which can attract a fine from the
Katanga Local Council. Strict consequences in form of penalties should be established to punish
those guilty of illegal dumping and non-compliance with waste management regulations as a
preventative measure. Clear signs bearing a fine can be placed within the area cautioning people
against illegal dumping, contravention of which attracts the aforementioned fine.
Engage the community in sanitary drives and activities; The Katanga society should be
encouraged to participate in bulungi bwa nsi (an initiative for general well-being of the
community) by involving in activities such as cleaning roads, clearing gutters and drainage
systems, collecting rubbish among others. This shall put Katanga on a road to social
transformation, togetherness and better sanitation.
Adequate funding from the central government; The government through KCCA, Ministry
for Kampala and other relevant authorities should ensure the Katanga local council gets the
necessary funds to pay cleaners, run sanitation and waste management and disposal activities. In
addition to that, Katanga should be availed with infrastructure such as rubbish trucks, garbage
bins and a well gazetted field to dispose of the garbage.
Set up collection points within Katanga area. One of the reasons for poor disposal is of waste
is lack of proper disposal points. Mama Aisha, a kiosk owner selling chips and fish within the
area said “I would not be disposing my rubbish in the channel or behind my small toilet if the
authorities had set up proper disposal centers and bins.” Others believe that the authorities seem
to have neglected their plight. These disposal points include incinerators, dust bins and recycling
trash cans for plastics. Establishment of such would ease disposal of rubbish among the people of
Katanga.
Spread of information and awareness about waste management. Mass media like public
address systems, meetings/sessions, posters and billboards should be used to educate the public
on solid waste management. The use of mass media can increase public motivation and
participation in waste management. Environmental adult educational materials like posters and
fliers can be placed at strategic locations in Katanga to constantly keep the citizens informed
about appropriate attitude and proper methods of handling the wastes they generate daily.
Solid waste segregation into its different components, such as, decomposable or organic (e.g.
food waste) and recyclable (e.g. metals, plastics, cans, etc.) This enables easier recovery of waste
at its source (that is, from households and businesses) and promotes recycling as the waste is
already sorted out and the volume reduced. Segregation is vital in the management of hazardous
waste from households, for instance disposal of plastics that are non-biodegradable. This is to
recover some of the waste in form of plastic bags and plastic containers for reuse. Although this
practice may seem inconveniencing, encouraging this practice would need some incentives, to
create awareness of the benefits of waste segregation, facilitate the practice, and offer collection,
and support its implementation through promotion by the Katanga authorities.
As emerging cities grapple with the formidable challenge of waste management in the face of
rapid urbanization, the following are a concise set of recommended solutions that are intended to
reframe waste as a resource while promoting cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable urban
environments for their residents:
Campaigns on Public Awareness Information sharing campaigns may be organized to raise the
awareness of local people on simple SMW practices such as segregation of waste at the source
and encourage them to practice the 3Rs (reuse, reduce, and recycle). It is essential to organize
public participation programs in order to obtain better results. A target, for example 5-10%
reduction in waste generation per year may be set. Schools are the best place to start the
awareness campaign as young minds learn quickly. At school levels, 3R related activities may be
conducted because students would play an important role in future. This activity will not only
raise awareness of students but also the students’ families.
Charges on waste management services. In addition to promoting 3Rs, city councils of
emerging cities may convince their people to pay a fee for waste management services willingly
and encourage them to reduce waste generation from households. This service fee should be both
reasonable and fair. Imposing waste management fee may lead to a reduction in waste generation
at the household level.
Waste water treatment. Emerging cities are advised to establish an anaerobic digestor (AD)
plant to deal with sewerage water from the city sewers and drainage channels on a large scale
just like the Bugolobi Wastewater Treatment Plant in Kampala. The sludge from the process can
be purposefully used as manure in farms or in bio-digestors to generate energy.
Public Private Partnership (PPP) in Solid Waste Management (SWM). PPP plays a significant
role in the handling waste collection and disposal. The municipal councils of these new cities
should enroll private contractors to collect and dispose waste especially in the case when the
private sector has a strong capacity to improve efficiency. The formulation of stakeholders’
networking should be the first activity, which would help to figure out all related private sectors
in the solid waste sector. Following this, a stakeholder agreement needs to be developed to
ensure responsibility, duties and benefits of each stakeholder.

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