KCCA TO ENHANCE WASTE MANAGEMENT IN 2024/2025 FINANCIAL YEAR

Dorothy Kisaka, the Executive Director of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), has outlined comprehensive plans to enhance solid waste management for the financial year 2024/2025.

Kisaka revealed this during a recent press conference held at the Mayor's Parlor, on July 19.

This initiative is a key component of the Smart City agenda, which prioritizes the well-being of Kampala's residents.

KCCA's strategy for the upcoming year is multifaceted, aiming to ensure a cleaner and healthier environment for all citizens. This initiative aligns with the NRM government’s commitment to prioritizing the health of Ugandans, recognizing that health is wealth.

As part of the new measures, KCCA has procured and installed 20 garbage storage facilities and installed 400 additional street litter bins across Kampala.

"KCCA's comprehensive waste management plan is not just about maintaining cleanliness," Kisaka explained. "It’s about creating a healthier environment and improving the quality of life for all Kampala citizens. We are committed to making our city cleaner, greener, and smarter."

With KCCA’s expanded garbage truck fleet of 40 trucks there will be increased collection of garbage from the community. Especially public spaces, institutions like schools, health facilities, markets and 270 informal communities. In addition, five tractors and five cesspool trucks will supplement the existing fleet.

Kisaka also announced ambitious plans to increase recycling rates, aiming to recycle at least 5% (38,325 tons) of the city's garbage, treating and releasing 200 amounts of leachate to the natural environment, and initiating the decommissioning of Kiteezi landfill with operationalization of the Dundu landfill to 10% with waste to energy component.

During the conference Kisaka made a rallying call to all city dwellers to recognize that managing garbage is everyone's responsibility. "KCCA can do much to reduce littering, but as city dwellers we must take the lead" she said.

The authority's commitment to this critical aspect of urban development is expected to significantly enhance the city's quality of life.

Reflecting on the past financial year, Kisaka highlighted the impressive progress made in waste management in the previous financial year 2023/24. A solid waste collection performance of 65%, was registered surpassing the target of 60%. By tonnage, 39% of the garbage was delivered by KCCA while the rest (61%) was delivered by private companies.

This success lays a strong foundation for further improvements in the coming year.