KCCA TRAINS JOURNALISTS TO PROMOTE BETTER WASTE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

In an effort to enhance awareness and improve waste management practices in Kampala, the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) held a media engagement session training at least 50 journalists on effective waste management strategies.

The event took place at City Hall, on Tuesday, focusing on educating the media to lead by example and promote positive waste management practices among Kampala residents.

Speakiing at the event, Dr. Sarah Zalwango, KCCA's Acting Director of Public Health and Environment, emphasized the critical role journalists play in shaping public behavior. She urged journalists to highlight the importance of proper waste management.

"Waste management is everyone's responsibility," she stated, adding, "If we all do our part, we can manage garbage effectively and keep our city clean."

Zalwango also discussed recent KCCA initiatives, to reduce garbage in the city including mapping and removing illegal garbage sites across the city and raising public awareness of the need to manage waste responsibly.

As part of this initiative, KCCA has been taking garbage to the Katikolo site in Mukono district, Following the collapse of Kiteezi landfill.

She further highlighted the importance of the "3Rs" approach, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle as central to reducing waste generation in Kampala.

The training addressed several critical areas, including relevant laws and regulations surrounding waste management, enforcement and compliance measures, and current statistics on waste generation in Kampala.

The journalists were also trained in strategies to reduce waste and were encouraged to focus on stories that could positively impact community behavior around waste disposal.

KCCA has recently ramped up enforcement against improper waste disposal, with Zalwango cautioning against illegal dumping, especially in drainage systems and toilets.

She announced that those caught disposing of waste illegally would face arrest and prosecution. "Throwing garbage in drainage systems or toilets has to stop," she warned. "Let’s all take responsibility for keeping our city clean."

Pearl Kobusingye, Social Behavioural Change Communication Specialist with USAID’s Social and Behavior Change Activity, contributed to the discussion by underscoring the importance of community engagement.

She called on both journalists and citizens to work together to achieve a cleaner Kampala. "Our role as citizens is crucial, and we must all engage to bring about change," Kobusingye said.

This engagement session served to address knowledge gaps in waste management, equip journalists with essential information, and establish connections with key KCCA personnel. By prioritizing waste management in their reporting, journalists will contribute to a broader movement for a cleaner, healthier Kampala