A unified approach: Mayors demand dedicated funds for Uganda’s growing waste management crisis

UGANDA – Local leaders across Uganda are urging the government to establish a dedicated waste management fund to address mounting challenges, including improper waste disposal, road damage from silt accumulation, and inadequate recycling efforts. 

This call to action was made during a high-level stakeholders’ dialogue on solid waste management organized by Public Services International (PSI).

The event brought together Members of Parliament, urban authorities, and other key players to discuss decentralizing waste management powers to local governments and prioritizing sustainable solutions. 

Masaka City Mayor Florence Namayanja underscored the crisis’s pressing nature, describing it as a significant threat to urban centers.

She highlighted the mismatch between the rapid expansion of cities, such as Masaka’s growth from 46 to 362.41 square kilometers, and stagnant budget allocations. 

Namayanja advocated for a paradigm shift, proposing that waste be treated as a resource rather than a burden.

She called for a dedicated fund to address improper disposal and a lack of recycling initiatives, emphasizing that reliance on restricted central government funds hampers local government’s ability to act. 

She also criticized the stalled ban on non-biodegradable plastics, urging Parliament to revisit the issue to reduce pollution and protect the environment. 

“Uganda can become one of the best countries if we strategically address waste management. A unified approach with sustainable solutions is key,” Namayanja stated. 

Kampala’s waste management crisis

Nakawa Division Mayor Paul Mugambe likened Kampala’s waste situation to a pandemic of inefficiency and corruption.

Mugambe revealed that four of Nakawa’s five garbage trucks are non-functional due to minor repairs and lack of fuel, further highlighting systemic failures.

He advocated for decentralizing waste management powers to allow divisions more control, labeling dependence on central authorities a bottleneck. Mugambe also proposed incentives for innovations that transform organic waste—80% of Uganda’s waste—into valuable products like fertilizers.

Drawing inspiration from Singapore, he stressed that prioritizing cleanliness can boost public confidence and attract investment.

Multidimensional impact of waste mismanagement

Dr. Everline Aketch of PSI outlined waste mismanagement’s environmental, health, and economic consequences.

She warned of rising diseases like cholera, dysentery, and malaria, exacerbated by poor waste disposal.

With Uganda’s rapid population growth straining even previously well-managed cities, Dr. Aketch advocated for infrastructure investment and policies to harness the economic potential of organic waste. 

Local leaders believe that Uganda’s waste crisis offers opportunities for transformation if tackled strategically.

Decentralized governance, innovative solutions, and collaboration across all sectors could turn waste challenges into avenues for sustainable development. 

“Proper planning and commitment are critical to transforming our cities into cleaner, healthier, and more economically viable urban centers,” concluded Namayanja.

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