Assessing solid waste management in Fort Portal city western Uganda a case study of Fort Portal Central Bazar Ward and Kibimba Ward

Abstract

This study assessed the solid waste management in Fort Portal central division in fort portal city western Uganda a case study of Bazaar ward and Kibimba ward. The study specifically; i) determined the role of Kitere waste disposal site in fort portal city, ii) the types of solid waste generated, iii) the methods and materials of solid waste collection, iv) the effects of solid waste on environment and human health. Data was collected by cross sectional survey using questionnaires where a sample size of 60 respondents provided data. Key informant interviews with technical persons and leaders for information regarding solid waste management. Data was analyzed using SPSS by cross tabulation and regression and correlational analysis. Results showed that that the is only one legal waste disposal Kitere waste site which handles over 70% of solid waste collected in fort portal city. Results revealed that food and organic waste the most generated waste others being paper waste, plastics, polyethene, metals, furniture and wood, the per capita waste generation of 0.47 kgs and total of 70 tons of solid waste generated daily. Sacks were the most used materials to collect waste and others were plastic containers, waste pits, metallic cans and polyethene bags. Results also showed that air pollution, water contamination, soil degradation and blocking of water channels as the major impacts of solid waste to the environment and people. The recommendations of the study were; i) control illegal dumping habit through strict laws and regulations and community education about solid waste, ii) changing the waste collection frequency from two-week period to one week to control decomposition of solid waste before final disposal, iii) provision and educating people to mainly use sacks as most preferred material to collect waste