August 8, 2022 –The Ministry of Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs with technical and financial support from the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and the European Union through the Greening Uganda’s Urbanization and Industrialization project developed the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area’s Solid Waste Management Strategy which aims to improve the solid waste management system in the greater Kampala area,
At a recently organized validation workshop, involving national experts from the sectoral working groups and the Greater Kampala Metropolitan leaders, it was revealed that the strategy will catalyse the creation of new business opportunities and livelihood enhancement options. This Strategy focuses on the key areas of waste collection, transportation, waste recovery and disposal, promotion of the circular economy opportunities, proper record keeping, stakeholder participation, financial sustainability, and most importantly aims to improve the governance systems for waste management.
The strategy hopes to unlock business and employment potential in the waste and resources management sector which is only partially tapped. The aim is to mobilise and invest up to $300m in the waste sector, collect and safely manage up to 65% of all generated waste, divert at least 35% of the collected waste from reaching the landfill, reduce per capita plastic emissions by 30%, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15% and create up to 50,000 jobs by 2030.
Set Targets of the Solid Waste Management Strategy
This integrated waste management framework shall provide strategic guidance towards sustainable management practices of solid waste through a circular economy approach focusing on material recovery for sustainable waste management. This new framework will benefit the people of the Greater Kampala from different communities given that effective waste management is of prime importance.
A turning point for sustainable waste management
Representing GGGI during the validation workshop was, Mr. Mohammad Ali Shaikh, the Project Lead, Strengthening Waste and Faecal Sludge Management in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area expounded on the different solutions that GGGI is supporting the Government of Uganda to tackle the solid waste challenge in the urban areas, these included; The Uganda Green Growth Development Strategy and the Uganda Strengthening Solid Waste and Faecal Sludge Management Capacity of the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area Project. He stated, “To achieve environmentally sound management of waste, there is a strong need to develop adequate regulatory, implement policies and programmes and establish enforcement infrastructure to ensure that waste can be managed efficiently.”
Mr. Ali Shaikh, GGGI Representative opened the validation workshop
The Under Secretary of the Ministry of Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs Ms. Monica Edemachu in her opening remarks talked about the need for proper waste disposal from household level to waste sorting, and diversion up to the recycling point if we are to successfully tackle this issue. The circular economy model in the solid waste sector is evidenced by the numerous projects being implemented by the Solid Waste Management Division of the Kampala Capital City Authority including, amongst others, the setting-up of waste sorting and diversion centres, the processing of solid waste for recycling will ensure proper waste disposal.”
The Under Secretary of the Ministry of Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs Ms. Monica Edemachu
The representatives of the various municipalities examined and validated the proposed Solid waste management strategy. This strategy has been developed in a participatory process, involving a household survey of over 300 household waste and several consultative meetings including the private sector, recyclers, waste collectors, transporter, regulators and local governments.
Components of the Solid Waste Management Strategy
“The strategy sets waste targets that will move the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area a step forward towards creating and implementing measurable action plans. It highlights recovering waste disposal in the entire solid waste value chain and creates opportunities for private players. This is all aimed at reducing waste going to landfill. It further emphasizes coordinated planning across the metropolitan area. This plays an important role in providing waste collection, recycling services, managing landfill sites and providing litter infrastructure”, explained Dr. Najib Lukooya while presenting the strategy.
The Mukono municipality town Clerk Mr. Godfrey Kisekka while closing the validation workshop thanked GGGI for its support as a development partner and urged his fellow municipality leaders to walk the talk and include waste management in the municipal budgets to realise the action plan. He added: “This strategy will also support the planning of climate actions for the benefit of the urban dwellers and help the country to mobilize more international funding to adapt to today’s climate”.
The strategy directly responds to the Greater Kampala Economic Development Strategy (GKEDS) geared toward job creation, improved liveability and sustainable development in the Greater Kampala Area.