Kampala’s garbage problem has long been a subject of debate and concern. Under the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Act (2011), the authority is responsible for ensuring the city is a clean, habitable, and sustainable environment. However, the reality on the ground tells a different story. According to KCCA, the city is estimated to generate approximately 2,500 tonnes of garbage daily, yet only about 1,200 tonnes are collected by garbage trucks. The uncollected waste often ends up in inappropriate locations, such as drainage channels, exacerbating the city’s sanitation issues.
The majority of collected waste in Kampala is disposed of in landfills, with Kiteezi being the largest in the metropolitan area. While landfill disposal is considered one of the least desirable methods of waste management, it remains the most cost-effective option currently available. However, landfills worldwide are increasingly operating beyond their intended capacities due to financial limitations that hinder the development of new sites[i].
In contrast, some countries have embraced more innovative waste management strategies. For example, Addis Ababa has implemented a waste-to-energy approach, where a plant processes 2,000 tonnes of garbage daily. Two-thirds of this waste is incinerated to generate electricity, while the remaining non-combustible material is compacted and placed in landfills. Further, the collaboration between Addis Ababa City Administration and Ethiopia Electric Power has resulted in the establishment of a waste-to-energy plant capable of generating 25 to 50 megawatts of electricity per day[ii]. This approach not only addresses waste management challenges but also contributes to the city’s energy supply.
Garbage disposal has both benefits and drawbacks. On the positive side, the Kiteezi landfill is a vital source of income for many, with workers earning between 15,000 and 125,000 UGX per day[iii]. In developing countries, landfills employ approximately 15 million urban residents, highlighting their economic significance[iv]
However, the negative consequences are substantial and cannot be ignored. As waste decomposes in landfills, it generates leachate and gases, which pose serious risks to human health and environmental quality. The leachate can contaminate soil, making it unsuitable for agriculture and reducing the diversity and abundance of vegetation. [v]
Recently, the Kiteezi landfill suffered a catastrophic collapse, leading to tragic loss of life, injuries, and the destruction of homes. According to New Vision (17/08/24), the death toll reached 35, with 28 people still missing. Disturbingly, this landfill had been operating for about a decade beyond its intended lifespan, yet the city administration failed to decommission it. A proper and timely closure of the landfill would have avoided devastating outcomes. Properly decommissioning the site could have prevented further environmental degradation and helped to avoid the high costs associated with remediation. [vi]
According to KCCA, the collection rate for solid waste in Kampala has seen significant improvement, rising from 35% in 2016 to 59% in 2023. This progress has been largely attributed to partnerships with the private sector. Additionally, KCCA employs over 4,000 frontline workers responsible for street sweeping, drainage de-silting, and other solid waste management tasks.
Despite these advances, it’s clear from the state of various areas in Kampala that much more remains to be done. Both KCCA and the political leadership of Kampala have repeatedly expressed their commitment to creating a cleaner city, but they are often hampered by limited funding.
To address inefficiencies in garbage collection, KCCA contracted private garbage collection companies to assist in the effort. However, this approach has introduced new challenges. Residents in informal settlements often struggle to afford the fees charged by these companies. In response, the President issued a directive mandating cost-free garbage collection in informal settlements. KCCA enforced this directive through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the garbage companies, although a threshold was established for garbage to be collected.
Despite these efforts, KCCA continues to face compliance challenges with some of the contracted companies, including overcharging, irregular collection schedules, and inconsistent rates charged to different premises. These challenges have hindered the effectiveness of garbage collection in the city, highlighting the need for more comprehensive solutions to ensure a cleaner Kampala.
Therefore, the Kiteezi landfill collapse has emphasized the need for a comprehensive solution to the garbage problem in Kampala. The following can be done to streamline the process:
First, intensifying community sensitization efforts to educate the population on effective waste management practices, including the use of decomposition pits, and sorting of non-degradable and degradable waste at the household level. In addition, the degradable waste can be used in the production of biogas.
Second, subsidizing the cost of garbage collection for residents is essential, as it would significantly reduce illegal waste dumping, for example in drainage channels, by encouraging proper garbage disposal.
Lastly, incentivizing innovative waste management solutions, to attract companies capable of transforming waste into valuable resources, such as generating electricity, as demonstrated in Ethiopia.
[i] Aryampa, S., Maheshwari, B., Sabiiti, E. N., Bukenya, B., & Namuddu, S. (2023). The Impact of Waste Disposal Sites on the Local Water Resources: A Case Study of the Kiteezi landfill, Uganda. Ecohydrology & Hydrobiology, 23(2), 280–289. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecohyd.2022.12.002
[ii] Abebe, M. A. (2018). Challenges of waste to energy facility in Reppi (koshe), Addis Ababa City. Int Res J Pharm Med Sci, 1(4), 9–16.
[iii] Aryampa, S., Maheshwari, B., Sabiiti, E. N., Bateganya, N. L., & Olobo, C. (2022). Understanding the impacts of waste disposal site closure on the livelihood of local communities in Africa: A case study of the kiteezi landfill in Kampala, Uganda. World Development Perspectives, 25, 100391. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wdp.2021.100391
[iv] Aryampa, S., Maheshwari, B., Sabiiti, E. N., Bateganya, N. L., & Olobo, C. (2022). Understanding the impacts of waste disposal site closure on the livelihood of local communities in Africa: A case study of the kiteezi landfill in Kampala, Uganda. World Development Perspectives, 25, 100391. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wdp.2021.100391
[v] Ali, S. M., Pervaiz, A., Afzal, B., Hamid, N., & Yasmin, A. (2014). Open dumping of municipal solid waste and its hazardous impacts on soil and vegetation diversity at waste dumping sites of Islamabad city. Journal of King Saud University-Science, 26(1), 59–65.
[vi] Selvaranjan, K., Navaratnam, S., Rajeev, P., & Ravintherakumaran, N. (n.d.). Environmental Challenges.