Published on 22/07/2024
Dorothy Kisaka, Executive Director of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), unveiled ambitious solid waste management plans for 2024/2025 at a July 19 press conference. Held at the Mayor’s Parlor, the event highlighted innovative strategies to improve the city’s waste management.
Kisaka’s vision aims to transform Kampala into a cleaner more sustainable urban environment.
This initiative is a key component of the Smart City agenda, which prioritizes the well-being of Kampala’s residents.
KCCA’s strategy for the upcoming year is multifaceted, aiming to ensure a cleaner and healthier environment for all citizens. This initiative aligns with the NRM government’s commitment to prioritizing the health of Ugandans, recognizing that health is wealth.
As part of the new measures, KCCA has procured and installed 20 garbage storage facilities and installed 400 additional street litter bins across Kampala.
“KCCA’s comprehensive waste management plan is not just about maintaining cleanliness,” Kisaka explained. “It’s about creating a healthier environment and improving the quality of life for all Kampala citizens. We are committed to making our city cleaner, greener, and smarter.”
With KCCA’s expanded garbage truck fleet of 40 trucks there will be increased collection of garbage from the community. Especially public spaces, institutions like schools, health facilities, markets and 270 informal communities. In addition, five tractors and five cesspool trucks will supplement the existing fleet.
Kisaka also announced ambitious plans to increase recycling rates, aiming to recycle at least 5% (38,325 tons) of the city’s garbage, treating and releasing 200 amounts of leachate to the natural environment, and initiating the decommissioning of Kiteezi landfill with operationalization of the Dundu landfill to 10% with waste to energy component.
During the conference Kisaka made a rallying call to all city dwellers to recognize that managing garbage is everyone’s responsibility. “KCCA can do much to reduce littering, but as city dwellers we must take the lead” she said.
The authority’s commitment to this critical aspect of urban development is expected to significantly enhance the city’s quality of life.
Reflecting on the past financial year, Kisaka highlighted the impressive progress made in waste management in the previous financial year 2023/24. A solid waste collection performance of 65%, was registered surpassing the target of 60%. By tonnage, 39% of the garbage was delivered by KCCA while the rest (61%) was delivered by private companies.
This success lays a strong foundation for further improvements in the coming year.
