Sustainable Waste Management Practices for Urban Growth and Development in Uganda

Abstract

The study aimed at assessing the effect of sustainable waste management practices on urban development in Uganda, taking Kamukuzi division as a sample in Mbarara municipality and as a case study. Objectives of the study were; to identify sustainable waste management practices contributing to urban development, to establish the existing gaps between sustainable waste management practices and urban development and to explore measures to fill the existing gaps between sustainable waste management practices and urban development. A case study research design was used where both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection and analysis were used. Case study enabled the researcher to study a single discrete social unit in depth. The study was based on a case study research design where different subjects were studied one point at a time. In this study, both the quantitative and qualitative approaches were used. The study population comprised employees from Kamukuzi division Mbarara municipality and community members with a total population of 6,459, a sample size consisted of 148 respondents where 50 respondents were used. Data analysis used two techniques namely qualitative and quantitative data analysis. It was found out that Solid waste management practices Communicate about coordination of primary and secondary collection systems, Separate waste inorganic materials, construction of drainage channels, Issuing of policies to communicate on proper waste management practices. Existing gaps between sustainable waste management and urban development included lack of attention at the planning and design stage, Insufficient incentives to implement waste reduction measures, poor sensitization of community members, poor strategic urban planning, corruption among officials, weak leadership, lack of strong government interaction, embezzlement of funds, Limited human resources and facilities. The study recommended that Outsourcing waste management services to private entities should demonstrate the importance of including social and livelihood aspects when considering full-scale privatization of waste management services