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Stakeholders Visit Mukono-Katikolo Site intended for Solid Waste and Faecal Sludge Management Facility Designs

The Global Green Growth Institute is implementing the “Strengthening Solid Waste and Faecal Sludge Management Capacity for Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA)” project funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in partnership with the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) of Uganda. To understand the land availability and surroundings of the selected site, the project stakeholders from different governmental and non-governmental agencies conducted a field visit to Mukono-Katikolo. The Katikolo site was the selected viable site for conducting feasibility studies and designing the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) and the Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP) to support the Government of Uganda with waste management challenges within the GKMA.

The field visit was organized by GGGI to ensure project stakeholders had an onsite experience as well as verify site selection findings such as the location, size, accessibility, and environmental and social impacts for both SWM and FSM. This visit was organized to engage stakeholders and motivate them to participate more in the ongoing feasibility studies, and in return, this will contribute to the successful implementation of the project.

Project stakeholders discussing at Mukono-Katikolo

On the 31st of January 2023, during the field visit, stakeholders discussed some of the key issues which included; land availability to incorporate both facilities, Material Recovery Facility and Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant for solid waste and faecal sludge respectively, resource recovery, road & utility services accessibility, land ownership and entitlement.

During the discussions, it was considered that land availability is and continues to have a major significance to this project’s success and sustainability by stakeholders. And currently, Fichtner Works & Transportation (FWT), a consultancy firm contracted by GGGI is conducting feasibility studies and design of the MRF and FSTP in Mukono-Katikolo, and the consultant’s PM informed the participants that the land for MRF and FSTP requirement is about 20-25 acres. However, it was also noted by stakeholders that the size of the land will influence the choice of technology and treatment processes, therefore, the smaller the footprint will require the use of compact solutions with high-tech solutions and vice versa which will impact the operation and maintenance costs of the facilities. Therefore, it was decided that the consultant and stakeholders will continue to discuss the land availability and potential solutions during the detailed design stage.

Resource recovery was discussed and examined by the stakeholders, from the MRF and FSTP meant for solid waste and faecal sludge management respectively to turn waste generated within the GKMA which is mostly biodegradable into useful materials, and this creates valuable products like manure which acts as a fertilizer. Therefore, designing facilities with these capabilities was suggested by the stakeholders. Aside from outputs, in all their discussions on resource recovery, it was also noted that it is one sector that can generate revenue once its operation has been grasped properly by the Government of Uganda. But with the ongoing project feasibility studies, material recovery designs are embedded within, therefore, different options will be analyzed by the consultants for best results.

Ms. Edemadru Monica, Under-Secretary, MoKCC&MA giving final remarks at Mukono Katikolo site on 31st January 2023

The road & utility services accessibility issue was examined by stakeholders, and it was distinguished that the current road around the site is murram which is an impediment to trucks transporting the waste. However, some stakeholders informed that the road construction was already in the plan for tarmacking under the proposed World Bank project to Uganda so it will support the project for easy waste transportation to and from the site. In addition, utilities like electricity on the site were noted to be unavailable, but it was noted that there will be a soon-to-commence project under the World Bank involving access to electricity in both rural and urban areas of Uganda, so it can support the project technically where necessary.

Additionally, stakeholders agreed that it is highly recommended that the Mukono Municipality ensures land ownership and entitlement to prevent future controversies, especially with encroachers. Therefore, Mukono Municipality representatives agreed to take all necessary steps to secure the required additional land for the project.

In closing, after all the discussions, the stakeholders were to support the project under GGGI and they highlighted how it provided a workable strategy to waste management within the GKMA, a challenge they have been struggling with to find a solution. And in support, they were ready to embrace solutions for clean, green and sustainable waste management in GKMA.

Furthermore, GGGI will continue engaging with stakeholders to build strong and responsive partnerships which will enable the achievement of its project objectives successfully.

 

The following entities attended the field visit: Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE), Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), National Water and Sewage Corporation (NWSC), Ministry of Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs (MoKCC&MA), Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), National Planning Authority (NPA), National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Ministry of Lands, Housing & Urban Development (MoLHUD), Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD), Fichtner Water & Transportation (FWT), The Association of Uganda Emptiers Ltd (TAOUEL), Municipality representatives from Mukono, and Nansana.