Determinants of solid waste management in Uganda: a case study of Kampala

Abstract

Solid Waste Management is very fundamental in protection of the environment. The urban populace tends to suffer more from the failure to manage waste efficiently and this in turn is a major problem in most urban centers especially in African cities and towns. This study sought to investigate the determinants for solid waste management plans in Kampala. It was based on secondary data extracted from Uganda census 2014 collected by Uganda Bureau of Statistics and it considered the population of central Uganda as the study variables as this data was obtained from UBOS website. The determinants of solid waste management plans were analyzed using a binary logistic model. The study found out that current marital status, gender, place of residence, education level, religion, source of energy and livelihood have a significant influence on solid waste management plans in central Uganda. All these variables apart from gender were found to be risk factors for solid waste management. Based on the findings, it was recommended that a reliable waste collection service is needed, more collection vehicles are required, markets for recycled materials to be encouraged, a properly sited engineered landfill to be constructed, enforcement of waste management legislation and a proper policy and planning framework for waste management, ensuring accurate population data and also environmental education to be included in the school’s curriculum.