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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.

A vibrant collection of plastic bottles in an outdoor recycling setup, showcasing environmental awareness.

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 Municipalities and town councils are overwhelmed, often relying on outdated collection methods and insufficient manpower.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.

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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.

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