Policy & Advocacy

From Kiteezi to Buyala: The Cost of Kampala’s Waste Crisis Tracing Uganda’s journey from one landfill disaster to the next. Introduction The tragic collapse of the Kiteezi landfill was more than an environmental disaster, it exposed how fragile waste management systems can devastate communities. Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Executive Director Hajat Sharifah Buzeki is steering a transformation that turns this crisis into opportunity, with a new 230-hectare Integrated Waste Management and Resource Recovery Facility in Buyala. At ARDHI, we see this as far more than infrastructure. It is a national model of the integrated, resilience-focused approach our Resilient Waste Management Pillar calls for. Waste Without a Plan The August 2024 Kiteezi garbage slide, which displaced 142 households, was a disaster waiting to happen. The landfill had long outlived its purpose, leading to multiple systemic failures: Human Cost: 142 households displaced 34 households submerged, awaiting UGX 2.14 billion in compensation 70 flood-affected households requiring structural analysis 8 undeveloped parcels of land pending valuation Environmental Risks: Uncontrolled gas emissions polluting the air Toxic leachate contaminating groundwater Steep slopes prone to collapse Blocked drainage systems worsening floods Systemic Failures: Infrastructure operating beyond capacity Weak environmental safeguards Poor waste separation at source Insufficient collection and transport KCCA has secured a $1 million Japanese government grant via UN-Habitat to address immediate risks. But the real solution lies in Buyala. ARDHI’s Perspective The 230-hectare Buyala Integrated Waste Management and Resource Recovery Facility represents exactly the kind of future-oriented approach ARDHI promotes. What Sets Buyala Apart Integrated Design: Unlike Kiteezi’s single-purpose model, Buyala combines: Modern waste processing and recycling facilities Resource recovery operations Advanced environmental safeguards Research and development capacity Economic Opportunities: Creating multiple value streams through: Jobs in waste processing and recycling Industries utilizing recycled inputs Research in waste-to-energy technologies Reduced costs of environmental cleanup Environmental Protection: Directly addressing Kiteezi’s failures: Advanced leachate collection and treatment Controlled gas capture and utilization Proper drainage and flood management Comprehensive monitoring systems Framework for Change Hajat Buzeki’s approach underscores that facilities alone are not enough – waste management requires systemic change. Community Engagement and Behavior Change – Weekend Cleanups: Building a culture of responsibility – Source Separation Education: Teaching sorting at origin – No Litter Campaign: Shaping new social norms – Economic Inclusion: 4,032 vulnerable residents employed through SACCOs under the reservation scheme Enforcement and Accountability – Sensitization Campaigns: Media and community outreach – Legal Enforcement: Arrests for illegal dumping – Systems Improvement: Better waste containers and reliable collection – Political Neutrality: Clear rules against politicization of services From Crisis to Opportunity (Call to Action) KCCA links waste management to climate resilience through its Urban Forest Management Plan (2023–2029): Environmental Integration 8,500+ trees planted across the city Restoration of Constitutional Square and Mutesa II monuments Beautified corridors along Nile Avenue and Jinja Road Climate Resilience Air quality monitoring systems Green corridor expansion Flood prevention via proper waste management This aligns with ARDHI’s philosophy: resilience demands integrated solutions. Closing Thoughts Kampala’s journey from Kiteezi’s collapse to Buyala’s opportunity proves what’s possible with vision and political will. Modern infrastructure, community engagement, economic inclusion, and environmental protection combine into a model of resilience.   At ARDHI, we see Kampala as proof that waste management isn’t just about cleanliness – it’s about resilient communities ready to withstand environmental, economic, and social shocks. These lessons must inform nationwide action. Ardhi news Latest News 10Oct Health & EnvironmentPolicy & Advocacy From Kiteezi to Buyala: The Cost of Kampala’s Waste Crisis October 10, 2025 Health & Environment | Policy & Advocacy From Kiteezi to Buyala: The Cost of Kampala’s Waste Crisis Tracing Uganda’s journey from one landfill disaster to the next. Introduction The tragic collapse of the Kiteezi landfill was more… 10Oct Health & EnvironmentPolicy & Advocacy Only 8% of Waste Recycled October 10, 2025 Health & Environment | Policy & Advocacy Only 8% of Waste Recycled Uganda’s Waste Crisis Is a Resilience Crisis Introduction Uganda’s waste management situation paints a dire picture, with the country struggling to cope with the growing… Get in Touch with Us Share Your Thoughts: info@ardhilaw.orgExplore Related Pillar: Resilient Waste Management Partner With Us

Only 8% of Waste Recycled Uganda’s Waste Crisis Is a Resilience Crisis Introduction Uganda’s waste management situation paints a dire picture, with the country struggling to cope with the growing volumes of waste generated daily. According to the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Uganda generates about 800,000 tonnes of solid waste annually, with only 8% being recycled. The rest finds its way into open dumpsites, drainage systems, and water bodies, posing severe environmental and health hazards. Waste Without a Plan The challenge is compounded by limited waste management infrastructure, inadequate funding, and weak enforcement of existing environmental laws. Municipalities and town councils are overwhelmed, often relying on outdated collection methods and insufficient manpower. Urban areas such as Kampala, Jinja, and Mbarara experience the highest accumulation of waste, mainly plastics, organic matter, and e-waste. Informal waste pickers — who handle the majority of recyclable materials — operate without legal recognition or social protection, despite their significant contribution to waste reduction. Key Stats: Uganda generates over 800,000 tonnes of solid waste annually. Only 8% is recycled. Over 60% of urban waste remains uncollected. Informal recyclers handle most recyclable materials without protection. ARDHI’s Perspective: Waste as a Human Rights Issue ARDHI emphasizes that effective waste management is not just an environmental concern but a human rights and governance issue. Poor waste disposal affects air quality, water sources, and public health — disproportionately impacting low-income communities living near dumpsites. The Kiteezi landfill fire serves as a grim reminder of systemic neglect, where poor planning, lack of regulation, and weak institutional capacity converge to create preventable disasters. ARDHI advocates for an approach that links law, policy, and community empowerment to create sustainable waste solutions that protect both people and the planet. Framework for Change ARDHI proposes a multi-level strategy to transform waste management systems in Uganda: Policy Reform Strengthen and enforce the National Waste Management Policy with clear accountability for local authorities. Public Awareness Launch educational campaigns emphasizing waste segregation, reduction, and recycling at the household level. Circular Economy Promotion Encourage innovation, recycling, and reuse through economic incentives and support for youth-led waste enterprises. Legal Recognition for Informal Workers Integrate waste pickers and recyclers into formal systems with safety standards and fair compensation. From Crisis to Opportunity (Call to Action) The waste crisis presents not only a challenge but also an opportunity. By adopting a circular economy approach, Uganda can reduce pollution, create jobs, and promote environmental justice. ARDHI calls upon government agencies, the private sector, and communities to work together to ensure that waste is managed sustainably and that the right to a clean, healthy environment is upheld for all Ugandans. Closing Thoughts Uganda’s waste problem reflects a larger governance and accountability gap. Addressing it requires political will, legal enforcement, and community participation.   As ARDHI continues to advocate for policy change, it remains committed to amplifying voices and shaping the legal frameworks that protect the environment and safeguard the rights of citizens. Ardhi news Latest News Health & EnvironmentPolicy & Advocacy From Kiteezi to Buyala: The Cost of Kampala’s Waste Crisis October 10, 2025 Health & Environment | Policy & Advocacy From Kiteezi to Buyala: The Cost of Kampala’s Waste Crisis Tracing Uganda’s journey from one landfill disaster to the next. Introduction The tragic collapse of the Kiteezi landfill was more… 10Oct Health & EnvironmentPolicy & Advocacy Only 8% of Waste Recycled October 10, 2025 Health & Environment | Policy & Advocacy Uganda’s Health Financing Crisis Examining the sustainability, equity, and efficiency of healthcare funding in Uganda. Introduction The health financing crisis in Uganda is one of the most persistent challenges undermining… Get in Touch with Us Share Your Thoughts: info@ardhilaw.orgExplore Related Pillar: Resilient Waste Management Partner With Us