Uganda: Government Moves to Enforce Waste Sorting At Source

What the report says

Uganda’s government says it plans to enforce waste sorting at the point of disposal nationwide as part of a broader effort to improve waste management, curb poor dumping practices and expand recycling. According to The Independent of Kampala, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja said households, schools, institutions and large organizations would be expected to separate organic and inorganic waste, with local governments helping promote the practice in communities.

Nabbanja made the remarks during the second National Cleaning Day at Kyaliwajjala UMEA Primary School in Kira Division. She urged authorities to work with waste collectors on separate collection systems rather than mixing all garbage in the same trucks, and said unsorted waste should not be accepted under the proposed approach. She also linked recycling to possible job creation and called on people to stop dumping rubbish in drainage channels and along roads.

Vice President Jessica Alupo, who attended as guest of honour, said waste should be treated as a potential source of income and said the government would continue providing local governments with garbage trucks and other equipment. She also said guidelines for National Cleaning Day were still being developed, including exemptions for certain groups, and noted that Seventh-day Adventist Church members had been excused from Saturday cleaning because of their worship day.

Local leaders from Wakiso District and Kira Municipality said rapidly growing populations are increasing waste pressures and appealed for more modern collection equipment. The next National Cleaning Day is due to be held in Hoima City.