1. WASTE MANAGEMENT WITH IN URBAN AREAS IN UGANDA; A CASE STUDY OF
KYAZANGA TOWN COUNCIL, LWENGO DISTRICT.
BY
Natamba Shadrack
Signature ………………………. Date ……………………
RS09M13/503
A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES IN
PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF THE
DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS IN DEVELOPMENT STUDIES OF UGANDA
CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY.
SEPTEMBER /2011
2. ABSTRACT
The study on ‘waste management with in urban areas in Uganda; A case study of Kyazanga
Town Council, Lwengo District’. The situation of waste management in the emerging TC’s is
alarming and it was upon these observations that the researcher was compelled to carry out the
study. The objective of the study was to establish the underlying causes of poor waste
management and to seek opinions from the local people on how the problem would be solved.
This research acknowledges the fact that many scholars have written a lot on waste
management. Therefore, this research contains literature that has been reviewed from different
scholars that relate to the study. This literature helped the researcher to be in position to relate
and verify whether what other scholars have written could be applicable to Kyazanga and this
helped in identifying the gap that these researchers have not been able to identify.
An exploratory research design was used to explore all dimensions of poor waste management.
A mixed methods approach was used to obtain a variety of information on poor waste
management. The primary data which was collected from the field using Questionnaires and
interview guides was recorded, tabulated and analyzed using tables to come up with the
information about the causes of poor waste management in urban areas in Uganda; A case of
Kyazanga TC.
The reasons of the persistent poor waste management are beyond the numerous legal and
institutional frame works in place despite their presence. These include; ignorance, lack of
dumping site, lack of the technical staff, failure to prioritize waste management especially during
budgeting among others.
Recommendations have been made for example, the researcher advised that waste management
be prioritized in the TC’s action plans and budget allocations, and commitment of stakeholders
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3. in the terms of providing finances, time and materials to implement waste management planned
activities, strengthen the existing initiatives on waste management for instance the Volunteer
youth group and this could be done by giving the group an opportunity to collect wastes/garbage
from the Council and be paid for the services, and finally the researcher advised the Council to
revise and strengthen the by-laws and legislation relating to waste management as well as their
enforcement and the need for major generators of waste e.g. markets, schools to manage their
own wastes through developing frame works and self regulation e.g. by-laws for waste
management among other many recommendations.
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4. DECLARATION
I Natamba Shadrack declare that this piece of work is the first of its kind and it’s not
a photocopy of someone’s work. I am the author of this dissertation and any
assistance I received in preparation is fully acknowledged and disclosed. Any
sources of data, ideas and words either direct or paraphrased have been cited in this
piece of work. I certify that this dissertation was prepared by me with the guidance
of my supervisor specifically for the partial fulfillment for the degree of Master of
Arts in Development studies of Uganda Christian University.
……………………………………
NATAMBA SHADRACK
(1ST September, 2011).
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5. DEDICATION:
I also dedicate this work to my family
members; dad, mum, and my siblings and
my fiancé.
I do dedicate this piece of work to Ps.
Billy Rutledge from Hetteras island
Church, United states and church at large
for supporting me throughout my study
of this Masters degree. You made it
possible for me to accomplish this study.
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6. AKNOWLEDGEMENT
I am totally convinced that the success in getting this study done did not come by single efforts
of my hands but the efforts of different players whose contributions were very instrumental to
see me through.
First and foremost, I want to thank the Almighty God for the insights, guidance, energy and
wisdom to complete this dissertation.
My highest gratitude goes to my University supervisor, Mr. Kizito Martin for guiding, collecting
and directing me throughout this study.
I particularly express my sincere appreciations to the Town clerk of Kyazanga TC, Mr. Mayanja
Majwala Badru for the time he spent with me during the research, moving with me and helping
in identifying the key informants who helped me in data collection.
Special thanks go to my all respondents, I cannot mention each of you by name but I hold you so
dearly. Thanks for the information.
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7. KEY ACRONYM AND ABBREVIATIONS
PEAP: poverty Eradication Action Plan
NEMA: National Environmental Management Authority
NGO: Non-Governmental Organization
CBO: Community Based Organization
EIA: Environmental Impact Assessment
UNDP: United Nations Development Programme
T.C: Town Council
MDG: Millennium Development Goal
KTC: Kyazanga Town Council
WHO: World Health Organization
UNFCCC: United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
CDM: Clean Development Mechanism.
GHGs: Greenhouse gasses
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8. CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Introduction.
Uganda like many countries in the world suffers from poor waste management. Poor waste
management is increasingly becoming a big problem in many cities in sub-sahara Africa and
Kyazanga is no exception. This study was conducted in Kyazanga Town council, Lwengo
District where by the researcher sought to explore the underlying causes of poor waste
management in the Town Council and at the end of the research, number of possible solutions
were proposed. The study investigated the relationship between waste management and what is
manifested as a result of the phenomenon (effects).
It was found that waste management is not an isolated phenomenon that can be easily classified
and solved with one strategy. The study found out that poor waste management is particularly an
urban issue that is closely related, directly or indirectly, to a number of issues such as urban
lifestyles, resource consumption patterns, jobs and income levels, and other socio-economic and
cultural issues. All these issues have to be brought together on a common platform in order to
ensure a long-term solution to urban waste.
Talking about methodology, this research being exploratory in nature, it used mixed methods
approach because of the need to obtain a variety of information on poor waste management. A
non-probability sampling techniques like purposive and quota sampling techniques will be
employed. Questionnaires and interview guides were administered to those sampled to
participate in the study about the causes of poor waste management and these were supplemented
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9. by observation. Data was analyzed in line with the research objectives and questions and
recommendations were made accordingly.
Therefore, the study was seeking to validate what other scholars have written about poor waste
management as a whole and how applicable to the people of Kyazanga Town Council.
1.1 Background of the Study
The management of waste is one of the challenges facing many urban areas in the world. Where
there is an aggregation of human settlements with the potential to produce a large amount of
solid waste; the collection, transfer and disposal of that waste has been generally assumed by
municipal authorities in the developed world. The format varies, however in most urban areas.
Wastes are collected either by a government agency or private contractor, and this constitutes a
basic and expected government function in the developed world (Zerbock, 2003).
Developing countries have solid waste management problems different than those found in fully
industrialized countries; indeed, the very composition of their waste is different from that of
‘developed’ nations. Although low-income countries’ solid waste generation rates average only
0.4 to 0.6 kg/person/day, as opposed to 0.7 to 1.8 kg/person/day in fully industrialized countries,
Cointreau (1982) and others (Blight and Mbande 1996, Arlosoroff 1982) noted several common
differences in the composition of solid waste in developing nations:
• Waste density 2-3 times greater than industrialized nations,
• Moisture content 2-3 times greater,
• Large amount of organic waste (vegetable matter, etc.),
• Large quantities of dust, dirt (street sweepings, etc)
• Smaller particle size on average than in industrialized nations.
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10. These differences from industrialized nations must be recognized both in terms of the additional
problems they present as well as the potential opportunities which arise from their waste
composition.
As earlier noted in the introduction, Poor waste management is not an individual country’s
problem but rather it is increasingly becoming a big problem in many cities of the world. For
instance, according to the 1999 State of the Environment Report for South Africa (DEAT, 1999),
the country generates over 42 million m3 of solid waste every year. This is about 0.7 kg per
person per day, which is more typical of developed countries than a developing country (by
comparison the figure in the UK is 0.73 kg, 0.87 kg in Singapore and 0.3 kg in Nepal). In
addition, 5 million m3 of hazardous waste is generated every year (DEAT, 1999). Every day 2.6
million of domestic and commercial waste water is processed at treatment works. The last figure
does not include agricultural and some industrial waste, which are the largest sources of waste
(DEAT, 1999).
In Uganda like in many other developing countries, typically one to two thirds of the waste
generated is not collected (Zerbock, 2003). As a result, the uncollected waste, which is often also
mixed with human and animal excreta, is dumped indiscriminately in the streets/wards and in
drains, contributing to flooding, breeding of insect and rodent vectors and the spread of diseases
such as cholera among others.
Most researchers have linked Waste generation directly to the size of population and the various
activities undertaken by different categories of the population including large scale industries,
small-scale industries, trading/businesses, municipal farming, household, schools and hospitals
among others. Hence, it clearly means that waste generation will increase with increasing
population growth (ibid).
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11. In Kampala alone, waste generation estimations have been rated at 0.2 metric tons per person
annually on average (Ngategize et al., 2001). Therefore, considering an urban population of 3.7
million people that is; 13.4% of the total population (Uganda Population secretariat, 2007), it
means that approximately 740,000 metric tons of solid waste are generated in urban areas per
year. Of this, only 41% solid waste generated is disposed off properly (UNDP, 2005). The
remaining 51% is left uncollected thereby ending up dumped in drainage and sanitary drainage
channels, natural water courses, manholes, undeveloped plots and road sides among other unfit
places (NEMA, 2004).
Poverty Eradication Plan (PEAP) recognizes that waste management is almost non-existent in
Uganda. It denotes that for instance in Kampala, refuse is collected from only 20% of the
population and only half of it is disposed in a proper way with the rest being dumped
indiscriminately (PEAP, 2004/2005). Furthermore, little attention has been given to waste water
disposal and storm drainage. Drainage is poor and limited to major roads and pathways.
Most local governments and urban agencies have, time and again, identified solid waste as a
major problem and this has been attributed to poor institutional arrangements, poor technologies
used and lack of the capacity to handle wastes (ibid). This has reached proportions requiring
drastic measures. We can observe three key trends with respect to waste - increase in sheer
volume of waste generated by urban residents; change in the quality or make-up of waste
generated; and the disposal method of waste collected, by land-fill, incineration among others. In
relation to Kyazanga, the researcher’s efforts to find the related literature were futile. However,
as already mentioned, this research established that Kyazanga TC was not be unique from other
urban areas. (See the findings in Chpt 4).
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12. In conclusion, it is important that the right action be carried out at the right level. Thus, actions at
the household level should be predominantly social, technology and economic in nature.
Similarly actions to be taken at the state and nation level should also be predominantly
economic, political and administrative in nature.
1.2 Problem Statement.
Despite several efforts, legal and institutional frame works that are in place to enhance proper
waste management, there is still persistent poor waste management in Uganda and Kyazanga
inclusive. Legal frame works like the constitution of the Republic of Uganda 1995 Article 245
(a) provides measures intended-To protect and preserve the environment from abuse, pollution
and degradation,”1 The National Environment (Waste Management) Regulations, S.I. No
52/1999;2 The Local Government Act 1997, all have provisions of how all wastes shall be
properly managed among other regulatory frame works like
People do not care about the way wastes are handled be because of the ignorance about the
likely dangers of poor waste management and the institutions like the Town Council has not
played its part as well due to both human and financial resources.
In addition to the above, there is the lack of proper institutional arrangements, poor technologies
like lack of modern trucks and the lack of the capacity by the council to handle the wastes
generated and there is no Private-Public partnership or CBOs ready to do the work.
1
The constitution also enshrines a constitutional right to a clean and healthy environment in its article 39.
Civil society has used article 50 of the constitution to enforce this right using public interest litigation.
2The National Environment (Waste Management) Regulations, S.I. No 52/1999. STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS.
1999 No. 52. Regulations, 1999. (Under sections 53(2) and 107 of the National Environment Act, Cap 153) [19th
October 1999]
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13. For instance, Studies indicate that each person in Kampala city produces 1 Kg of solid waste per
day (Tenywa et al., 2007). The waste generated in towns in Uganda, Kyazanga inclusive is
hardly collected and even what is collected is not sorted and there is no gazetted area to dispose
off wastes. Additionally, even the government development programs rarely put waste
management aspects into consideration for instance the health facilities, public markets, schools
among others. Furthermore, there are limited appropriate technologies and practices for waste
management and also the limited capacity among stakeholders (technocrats, extension agents,
private sector etc) in addressing waste management issues.
This state of affairs has far reaching implications on community livelihoods and environment
posing great health risks for instance; solid waste at informal disposal sites produces toxic gases,
bad odour and creates air pollution. This has led to increased incidences of diseases like cough,
diarrhea, Fever among others, hence increasing public expenditure on drugs. Yet a properly
managed waste is wealth (Zake et al 2008:6). Wastes have got enormous opportunities for
instance metallic containers can be used to make paraffin candles (tadoba), children toys, simple
local measuring cans, wrapping paper and envelopes out paper wastes, and waste can be an
alternative to generate fuel. A case in point is Kasubi community development association which
has resorted to using banana peelings to come up with charcoal briquettes and this has made
house hold energy conserved (EA, 2007). This problem of poor waste management requires
innovative solutions and one of the solutions could be a participatory approach where the local
people are involved to define the problem and then propose the solutions.
Therefore, this study sought to explore the causes of poor waste Management and the local
people’s opinions on how the problem would be minimized. The data gathered in this study
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14. provided leaders with information relating to how they may address or mitigate factors
responsible for poor waste management in the Town council.
1.3 The purpose of the study
The purpose of this study was to establish the underlying causes of poor waste management and
to seek the local people’s opinions on how the problem would be handled.
1.4.1 Specific objectives
To find out the means used too collect, transport and dispose off wastes.
To establish the underlying causes of poor waste management in Kyazanga Town
Council from both the leaders and the local people.
To identify the possible solutions to archive proper waste management.
1.4.2 Research Questions.
What mechanisms are in place to collect, transport and dispose off wastes in the town
council?
What are the causes of poor waste management in Kyazanga T.C.?
Are there ways that can be employed to deal with poor waste management in the council?
1.5 Scope of the Study.
1.5.1 Geographical scope
The study was conducted in Kyazanga Town council one of the Newest Town Councils that
gained status in July 2010, Lwengo district, which is located in the Western wing of central
region. The town council is bordered by Masaka in the east, Rakai in the south, Lyantonde in the
west and Sembabule in the North. The study covered 100 respondents in the bid to establish the
underlying causes of poor waste management in Kyazanga Town Council and the study
employed both quantitative and qualitative methods.
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15. 1.5.2 Study scope
This study helped identify the causes of poor waste management in Kyazanga T.C, and remedies
were developed. The study confined only on wastes from households, schools and health centres
in the selected zones. The study highlighted the effectiveness of the current waste management
policies. As a result the necessary remedies were recommended. The studies also drew lessons
from best practices elsewhere and suggested ways of adopting them.
The researcher reviewed documents, reports and collected data from 2005 to date. The data
collected covered five years before Kyazanga gained a Town Council status and after in order to
be able to illustrate whether with the new status, the problem of poor waste management has
reduced, remained the same or intensified.
1.6 Significance of the Study
It is hoped that the findings of this study will help raise awareness on issues pertaining to waste
management for the community and policy makers especially at the Town council level. And this
awareness will help build initiatives to reduce the problem. A copy of this research shall be sent
to the Town Council upon approval by the University authorities.
The study will help provoke debate on waste management issues. In the course of this debate
better options may be developed and these would be helpful to the urban authorities in their
planning strategies since they will be able to identify the gaps existing in the waste management.
Partners in development could use this information by identifying specific income generating
activities, thus making waste contribute to the poverty eradication programme in Kyazanga
Town council. In his studies in Kenya, Kim (1998), notes, while there is considerable
documentation on innovative community-level waste management schemes in Asian and Latin
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16. American cities, little research has been done on the importance of, and potential for, waste re-
use in African cities. This study identified the contribution of waste.(see Chapt.4).
This research generated more information to the already existing body of knowledge in the area
of waste management and to Kyazanga, it is the first one of this kind.
In addition to the above, the study will also provide future scholars and researchers with
information regarding the causes of poor waste management especially in Kyazanga Town
council.
1.7 Justification
It is highlighted that Africa is littered with non-engineered landfill sites and other inefficient
means of waste disposal strategies for instance; Incinerators with inappropriate air pollution
control devices. This unpleasant development has led to some untimely human deaths, which
was estimated to be up to 20,000 in a year (NEMA, 1998).
Poor waste management has been found to result into pollution of both surface and ground water
through the leachate draining and impairing the permeability of soils as well as blockage of
drainage systems (NEMA, 1998). Studies in the Kasubi- Kawala area have established that the
count of harmful Coliforms (1980 cfu/ml), Eschelica coli (540 cfu/ml) in protected springs far
exceed the World Health Organization (WHO) thresholds (0 cfu/ml).
It was against this background that the study on waste management was carried out to explore
the underlying causes to the challenges of waste management in Kyazanga town and indeed the
causes were identified and possible remedies suggested.
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17. 1.9 Conceptual framework illustrating the relationship between the causes of
poor waste management and its effects.
The conceptual frame work illustrates the relationship between the presumed causes
(independent variables like- lack of awareness, Ignorance by the local people, Weak policies,
Lack of enough trained manpower, Inadequate funds etc) of poor waste management and the
presumed effects (dependent variables)-what is manifested as a result of the phenomenon.
Independent variables Dependent
Relationship Interventions
variables
Causes of poor waste
management
Effects
Public awareness creation
Lack of awareness Indiscriminative dumping Strengthening of the legal and
Ignorance by the local will lead to Infrastructure institutional framework
people destruction like roads
Capacity building/training
Lack of enough trained Un-collected wastes,
manpower Funding inventory of
dumping on roadsides this
Weak policies leads to Contamination of hazardous waste
Inadequate funds water bodies Sanitation Expected output
and hygiene
Buildings without Proper waste management
dumping sites Improved health
Failure to implement the Save income-that would
laws have been spent on drugs
Reduction on expenditure
on say fuel
From the above illustration, it can be observed that the presumed causes (independent variables)
lead to presumed effects (dependent variables). Independent variables like lack of awareness lead
to ignorance of the local people about the effects of waste management, and lack of enough
trained manpower and weak policies and inadequate funds are presumed to lead to
indiscriminative dumping of wastes on roadsides; the residents set structures like buildings
without dumping sites because of weak laws among others.
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18. It was found out that all these led to a number of Health problems and these include;
Infrastructure destruction, Contamination of water bodies and Sanitation and hygiene and
environmental degradation.
However, it is presumed that strengthening the legal and institutional frameworks, capacity
building and funding inventory of hazardous waste among others will yield several outputs like
Proper waste management, improved health since the cause of illness will have been dealt with,
save income-that would have been spent on drugs and also save the environment from being
polluted among others
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19. CHAPTER TWO
2.0 Literature Review
2.1 Introduction
In this chapter, attempts were made to review relevant literature to help in the understanding of
poor waste management. The researcher acknowledges the fact that there is some literature on
waste management in Towns of Uganda and in other countries of the world. Most of the
literature reviewed was from the different sources like text books, websites, News papers and
journals. In this section, the main purpose was to review issues related to waste management that
have been investigated by other researchers, in order to gain more insights into the subject under
the study and avoid duplications of efforts in this area.
2.2 Definition of terms and concepts.
Waste is a man-made substance in a given time and places which in its actual structure and state
is not useful to the owner or is an output without an owner and purpose. In other words, waste is
anything that we no longer need. It is also commonly referred to as rubbish, trash, garbage,
refuse, effluents and “unwanted or unusable materials”. (Zake J: 2007).
Synonymous to solid waste are terms such as “garbage”, “trash”, “refuse” and “rubbish”
(Zurbrugg, 2000). Urban dwellers generally consume more resources than rural dwellers, and so
generate large quantities of solid waste and sewage. For example, solid waste disposal is a major
problem in urban African centres, where more than half the population
It is important to note that wastes take two forms that is; solid or liquid wastes; Solid wastes refer
to particles or materials which are no longer useful to their owners and which require to be
20. discarded. They are movable objects, which have no direct use and or no ‘current’ market value
or no use to the individual that they require to be disposed off. They are both
organic/biodegradable for instance the waste generated from animal and plant remains; it may be
broken down by living organisms such as bacteria, protozoa and fungi. This form of waste
occurs as green plant tissue waste, food remains, paper, animal and waste (faeces and urine), and
non-organic/non bio- degradable wastes, is that form of waste that cannot be broken down by
living organisms. It includes metals, polyethylene, most plastics and rubber. Most non
biodegradable wastes are produced from manufacturing industries.
On the other hand, Liquid wastes refer to waste materials that contain full liquids. These include
waste water from industries, households; sewerage and leachates from land fill or garbage heaps.
This is equally harmful to the water sources hence endangering both human beings who depend
on such water sources and the aquatic life. It also destroys the land and its level of productivity
since some of these wastes like grease, paints will deepen into the soils hence affecting the soil
alkalinity (Environmental Protection Agency, 2008).
The term ‘Waste Management’ includes all issues and processes associated with the generation,
processing, and disposal of all categories of wastes produced by human activities or related to
human existence; it includes, therefore, the stages of production and minimization, collection,
handling and transportation, reuse and recycling, and treatment and disposal of all such wastes.
(Zake J, 2007)
Despite the fact that waste handling and transport varies from region to region, country to
country, there are waste management concepts that are universally accepted and implemented.
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21. These are the waste hierarchy or the 3Rs (reduce, reuse and recycle), the extended producer
responsibility (EPR) and the polluter pay principle.
According to NEMA (2000), Solid waste management encompasses generation, collection,
transportation and disposal of wastes. Authorities have the responsibility to ensure safe, reliable
and cost effective removal and disposal of solid waste Garbage is collected from both the well to
do households and poor ones now lives in urban areas. Northern Africa is the most urbanized,
while in Southern and in Western and Central Africa, urbanization levels are still lower (about
33-37 percent.) East Africa is the least urbanized sub-region, with 23 percent (United Nations
Populations Division, 1997).
2.3 Why undertake waste management?
Waste management is undertaken mainly to minimize the effect of wastes on resource loss and
conservation, health, environment, costs, and aesthetics. It incurs financial and social and other
costs including ‘external’ costs. The term includes the issue of ‘regulation’ of the various aspects
of management of wastes.
Waste management is the process by which products and by-products generated by business and
industry are collected, stored, transported, treated, disposed off, recycled or reused in an effort to
reduce their effect on human health. Therefore, a properly managed waste; that is well collected
and sorted recycled, treated, disposed off hygienically will promote a clean and safe environment
to live in. Waste management is practiced by small businesses when they collect and sort their
wastes, recycle their wastes, treat their wastes, dispose of their wastes or implement ways of
reducing their waste (EPA, 2008).
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22. 2.4 Global perspective about waste generation and management.
Headley (1998) states that in Barbados, there are no containers designated by municipalities or
collection companies to “set out” waste for collection; it is up to individual residences to
designate some sort of collection container. Frequently, these are plastic barrels or discarded oil
drums, however the majority of households simply place grocery bags full of waste on the street
to await collection. There may be physical dangers to waste workers in dealing with the former;
weather, animals, and other disturbances prior to collection threaten the integrity of the latter. In
an examination of current problems in Kenya, Mungai (1998) agreed that the first step in
“sanitary and efficient” waste management must be to ensure that all households use some form
of corrosion-resistant container with lids in order to facilitate collection. Lidded containers
would exclude most animal pests, reduce the amount of rainfall soaking into garbage and help to
reduce trash blowing about on the street.
A major problem is that of development at or on top of landfills; many shantytowns are built
from disposed-of waste and in some cases entire neighborhoods are sited on top of existing
landfills. For example, the Smoky Mountain dump in Manila, Philippines had as many as 10,000
families living in shacks on or adjacent to the dump site (UNEP 1996). Aside from the obvious
health implications, these concentrations of people further complicate transport and unloading
procedures and present numerous safety and logistical concerns (Blight and Mbande 1996).
UNEP estimates that approximately 100,000 people currently scavenge wastes at dump sites in
the Latin American region alone. Further, many people, not only those residing near landfills,
make their living from scavenging on solid waste before it enters the municipal waste stream.
Street-level waste picking often removes recyclables and other ‘high-value’ waste items from
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23. items set out for collection; although these practices serve to reduce the overall quantity entering
the waste stream, these practices often scatter waste about, compounding problems for pick-up
and transfer operators (Pfammatter and Schertenleib 1996). Although it takes only 5-10 seconds
to empty a 45-gallon container of waste into a collection truck, but 1-2 minutes to shovel the
equivalent amount of waste (Gage 1998). Any potential change to the waste disposal framework
must take into account the urban poor, many of whom may be dependent on waste scavenging
for their entire subsistence. In one study at the Bisasar Road landfill in Durban, South Africa,
scavenging on waste supported 200 families, “earning” the equivalent of $15,500 per month, or
$77 per family per month (Johannessen 1999).
According to the 1999 State of the Environment Report for South Africa (DEAT, 1999), the
country generates over 42 million m3 of solid waste every year. This is about 0.7 kg per person
per day, which is more typical of developed countries than a developing country (by comparison
the figure in the UK is 0.73 kg, 0.87 kg in Singapore and 0.3 kg in Nepal). In addition, 5 million
m3 of hazardous waste is generated every year (DEAT, 1999). Every day 2.6 million of domestic
and commercial waste water is processed at treatment works. The last figure does not include
agricultural and some industrial waste, which are the largest sources of waste (DEAT, 1999).
2.5 Challenges met in waste Reduction at the Global level.
Until recently, the focus in South Africa for example; has been on waste disposal and impact
controls or "end of the pipe" treatment (DEAT, 2000). However, this focus has faced a number
of challenges and these include:
• Lack of waste avoidance, minimization and cleaner production technology initiatives;
• Lack of regulatory initiatives to manage waste minimization;
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24. • Few incentives for reducing waste;
• Industries not required submitting plans for waste disposal when applying to establish new
enterprises;
• Inadequate resource recovery and a general lack of commitment to recycling – no legislation,
policy or waste management culture that promotes resource recovery or makes it financially
viable; and
• Lack of appropriate waste management strategies and treatment technologies associated with
these policies also have a negative effect on human health. In addition to lack of a variety of
appropriate waste treatment methods.
Some of the consequences of previous waste management policies include; continued air and
land pollution, the pollution of fresh and marine waters, resulting in the disruption of ecosystem
processes, habitat destruction and species loss. The amount of waste produced also places
increasing pressure on the country's landfills. Increasing amounts of land set aside for landfills
could lead to habitat destruction and species loss.
2.6 Some of interventions globally.
A mere 13% of American waste is recycled (Anonymous, 1992). Recycling is a resource
recovery program, which extends the globe's mineral supply by reducing the amount of virgin
materials that need to be removed from the globe to meet the demand. Resource recovery saves
energy, causes minimal pollution and land disruption, cuts waste disposal costs, and extends the
life of landfills by preventing waste from residing there.
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25. The percentage of paper that is being recycled in other nations sends a clear message to
Americans: we are not doing enough. Americans only recycle 28% of the paper they use,
although they lead the world in paper consumption and paper waste. France, Sweden,
Switzerland and Finland recycle at least one-third of their paper expenditures. Japan, Mexico,
and the Netherlands are at a 44% rate, which is the highest in the world. The American federal
government alone uses two percent of all paper products in this country, but half of the trash it
throws away is paper (Miller, 1990).
Greatly increased recycling in this country could be reached through several measures. Some
analysts claim that 50% to 80% of the nation's natural resources could be recycled or reused by
the year 2012. Some measures to achieve this include enacting a national bottle bill into law,
banning disposable plastic items, requiring labels on products made with recyclable materials
and the percentages used, using education and advertisements to discourage the "throwaway"
mentality, requiring households to separate wastes for recycling (or offering financial incentives
for doing so), and decreasing subsidies for virgin-material industries, and providing subsidies for
secondary-material industries and waste reduction programs.
Anything that is naturally degradable can be thrown into a compost bin. Food and organic waste
created by food processing plants, kitchens, galleys, animal feedlots, yard work, and sewage
treatment plants. Paper, leaves, and grass clippings can be decomposed in this process in
backyard compost bins, and the end result can be used in gardens and flower beds.
Hazardous waste includes heavy metal contaminants (like lead and mercury), medical and
infectious waste, chemical waste, and nuclear waste. The latter is so dangerous due to the
extremely high toxicity, which remains that way for thousands of years. The technology for
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26. safely and effectively treating and disposing hazardous waste has not even come close to the
technology for producing the stuff.
2.7 Uganda’s perspective on waste management
In Uganda, the public has not taken any positive steps in solid waste management practices like
source reduction, re-using, recycling or properly disposing of the portion that cannot be
reclaimed. Instead the public has for the most part maintained an “I don’t care” attitude of
generating as much waste as possible unconscious of the implications for its collection and
disposal (ERL 1990, KCC 1995 and NEMA 1996).
In Uganda, the solid waste generated comprises of 73% 0rganic waste; 5.3% paper; 1.7% saw
dust; 1.6% plastics; 3.1% metals; 0.9% glass; 8% tree cuttings and 5.5% street debris (Ngategize
et al., 2001). Kampala city gives a good illustration of this problem.
Since 1969, there has been a big increase in the volume of solid waste generated due to the rise
in population. In 1969, 198 metric tonnes were generated everyday and currently 800 tonnes
(800,000kgs) is being generated everyday according to the Kampala City Council (KCC report:
2008).
In addition to the above, waste generation is directly proportional to population increase. Even
though high/medium income earners are fewer than low income earners, and their per capita,
waste generated by low income earners is more than double the quantities generated by high
income earners. However, the daily and annual waste generation for low income earners is more
than double that for high income earners. This could be attributed to accumulation among low
income earners settlements due to inadequacies in waste collection services among others.
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27. The greatest challenges facing Uganda’s rapidly growing urban centres, is the hazard of urban
waste, according to the Globe Clean Services, business manager, Rashid Magezi (cited in The
New Vision 3rd April 2010). He adds that, “The volume of solid waste generated in urban
centres in Uganda has been increasing mainly as a result of the growing urban population,
concentration of industries, consumption habits of residents, inadequate finance and facilities to
manage waste collection and disposal” Many Ugandans perceive waste collection as a luxury
but not a necessity. The concept of collecting garbage is still new to most people, since you have
to tell them a number of times before they can ingest the idea.
Magezi insists that garbage disposal in the urban areas is a real challenge compared to rural
Uganda where waste is mostly dumped in open places, gardens and open pits. In addition waste
in the rural areas is mostly organic.
2.8 What are the causes of poor Waste management in Uganda?
It is obvious to note that high-income households generate MORE wastes than low income
households but accumulation is higher in low income areas compared to high income settlements
due to availability of waste collection services. (ERL, 1990, KCC 1995, and NEMA, 1996).
Therefore, there are a number of causes of poor Waste management in Uganda and these include
but not limited to;
Lack of dumping sites where to deposit the solid waste. This is because the issue of waste
management is new in the country. It wasn't considered to be a problem before. Currently, in
Kampala, the dumping is done by the K.C.C. at Mpererwe, a landfill made in 1996 after the
former one at Lweza and Lubigi (ERL, 2008).
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28. Ignorance of the masses about the need to dispose of these wastes well and how to dispose of
them (the wastes) off. There is lack of enough literacy programs on Waste management which
leaves most of the people backward on waste management. This is because of poor or no
sensitization of the masses by the government and other organizations of Uganda.
Inefficient collection methods which is mainly due to lack of funds to provide the necessary
machinery. In Uganda, machinery like the trucks that carry the waste from the various areas have
poor covering systems such that even the waste goes on leaking on the road while being
transported, and even there are few places with proper garbage containers or at times the
containers are over flooded when there are rain showers.
Poor government attitude towards waste management. From a citizen's point of view, it is
realized that very little money from the government is directed towards waste management, with
most of it going towards industrialization. This leads to poor purchase of collecting equipment.
Another cause is poverty that exists in Uganda. This undoubtedly leads to masses buying cheap
non bio-degradable containers which are not easy to dispose off, and also substitutes like paper
bags are not easily available to poor urban dwellers.
Also the low price of these solid wastes especially polythene bags which are very cheap as
compared to other containers makes them very common, which makes their proper disposal very
difficult.
Lack of trained manpower/personnel to deal with garbage collecting machinery and to ensure the
proper disposal of the solid waste for example door to door collectors in most advanced
countries.
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29. Lack of recycling facilitates in most parts of the country for instance most of the polythene bags
used are not recycled by the manufacturing industries and Misallocation of funds and even
embezzlement of the little funds allocated for such work.
2. 9. Some of the human and environmental problems that can attribute to
poor waste management.
It should be noted that inadequate waste collection by the relevant authorities and the
inappropriate methods used by other generators leave a lot of solid waste unattended to. This is a
source of pollution and provides breeding ground for rats, fleas, mosquitoes among other. The
consequences of poor waste management are very complex (KCC; 2000). However, the major
impacts include but not limited to:
Infrastructure destruction; Solid waste haphazardly
dumped in manholes for drainage, telephone cables,
sewerage system, roadside drainage gutters creates blockages
and leads to floods across roads, streets, parks and other
spaces. The repair of underground telephone and electric cables is hampered as solid wastes
block manholes that would facilitate easy access. This makes repair works expensive and man
activities are disrupted because of constant service failures. The blockage of drainage channels
by mud, polythene and other solid wastes create pools of water, which render transport during
the rainy seasons messy and eventually potholes develop on the roads. (NEMA 2000/2001).
Contamination of water bodies: Most of the solid waste generated in Kampala is dumped in
the wetlands and these are the major sources of domestic water to Kampala’s population. Though
50% of Kampala’s populations have running water on the premises (Kampala 1995) and more
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30. recent 2002 data indicates over 90% accessing safe water. Even then some pipes pass via solid
waste and sewerage sites and water is bound to get contaminated since most of the pipes are very
old. The concern for contamination is due to current accessibility to safe water with 36% of the
population drawing their water from “protected” spring, 11% from unprotected springs and 3%
from open courses with their waters from the wetlands and underground acquifers. (KCC; 2000).
These sources are contaminated through percolating leachates from decomposing garbage,
discarded oils from garages and some pit latrines in the low lying areas directly touch the water
table. Direct dumping is also evident on the shores of L. Victoria and its catchment region and
yet 3% of the population draws their water directly from open sources (LAVLAC 2005).
Generally Nakivubo swamp, which opens in L. Victoria, has a high nutrient load as a result of
rainfall run off from Kampala City (Kansime and Nalubega 1998).
Sanitation and Health: Open dumping is the order of the day in Kampala City and this has
created unsanitary conditions on streets and pathways. Such irresponsible dumping leads to
unpleasant smells and are fertile grounds for breeding sites for flies and other vectors. The
scenery of flies, rodents and vectors scrambling for the rotting solid waste is unsightly and
unhygienic. All this results in the pollution of both surface and ground water through leachate
and impairing the permeability of soils as well as blockage of drainage system (NEMA
2000/2001). The public is threatened by communicable diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera,
dysentery etc. Cases of cholera outbreak in Kampala are common, the most recent being early
2005. In a recent study of pollution load finding indicate high concentration of nitrates near
unofficial dumping grounds in the catchment of Natete River, (Lwasa, Majjaliwa et al. 2006).
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31. This exacerbates environmental health problems in the urban poor settlements of Kampala metro
area.
Increased Presence of Garbage plastic mineral water bottles and Polythene Bags: Most low-
income settlements are littered with solid wastes and polythene
bags. The communities have been unable or unwilling to pay
for garbage collection and sanitation facilities. Some people
regard garbage collection as the responsibility of KCC using
money from taxes. The study has established that there is lack
of space to place garbage skips while landowners do not allow
placement of garbage skips on their land. Coupled with lack of skips and inability of the private
garbage collectors to cope with the generation rate, solid waste dumping sites are a common
feature in Kampala especially in wetland and high-density residential areas. Most conspicuous of
the waste stream is the plastic wastes in different categories from plastic bottles to polythene
bags which are carried downstream in the catchments by storm water and wind. These have
become a nuisance in the city and metro area.
It should be noted that the Government attempted to ban the polythene bags production one year
ago however, the government in its own way has failed to control the problem of poor polythene
waste disposal through its failure to enhance strict rules that can help reduce the problem. The
officials of the various government organs have failed to provide sufficient supervision of the
damping of the wastes as a result, polythene waste are continually poorly damped and this is
hazardous to the community and the people living around it.
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32. 2.10 Policy context/frameworks for waste management in Uganda,
International and regional levels.
There are various laws that regulate the generation and management of solid wastes in Uganda,
and internationally though some are out dated. They include;
Agenda 21 - program of action for sustainable development
Agenda 21 is a comprehensive blue print for global actions for sustainable development into the
21st century. Uganda being a member of the United Nations is party and accountable to Agenda
21. It commits governments, United Nations organizations, development agencies,
nongovernmental organizations and independent sector groups to implement programs and
actions which would halt and reverse the negative impact of human behavior on the physical
environment and promote and promote environmentally sustainable economic development in all
countries. In the context of waste management, Agenda 21 presents Section 21 on
environmentally sound management of solid waste, particularly highlighting program areas and
associated strategies to be implemented by all countries to ensure proper waste management
(Agenda 21, 1994). How this frame work has been implemented is a question of debate.
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
Biodegradable solid waste decomposition generates green house gases (GHS) such as Methane
which contributes to depletion of the thin layer (Ozone) that protects the earth from direct heat
from the sun. Loss of this layer means that sun rays hit directly on the earth resulting in
temperature raises which influence climate on the earth and these changes have manifest as
global warming, prolonged droughts, and unreliable rainfall. However, Uganda is signatory to
the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) of the Kyoto
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33. Protocol. The UNFCCC provides an international framework for mitigating causes of climate
change and its effects at both international and national level. For instance, the Clean
Development Mechanism (CDM) makes it possible for companies or countries that have to
reduce emissions under the Kyoto Protocol to invest in emission reduction projects in developing
countries. There is a need for exploring opportunities in the Clean Development Mechanism to
utilize the accumulated solid waste managed under the land fill at Kiteezi for energy production
Linking waste management to the Millennium Development goals (MDGs)
Uganda subscribes to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of the United Nations
Charter. The targets under these eight goals respond to the world’s main development challenges
and are anticipated to be achieved by 2015. The MDGs are drawn from the actions and targets
contained in the Millennium Declaration that was adopted by 189 nations-and signed by 147
heads of state and governments during the UN Millennium Summit in September 2000.
Addressing the challenges of waste management and flood mitigation should be linked to the
MDGs because they directly and indirectly contribute to achievement of the targets under MDGs
1, 3, 6 and 7.
5
The constitution of the Republic of Uganda 1995 Article 245 (a) provides measures intended-
To protect and preserve the environment from abuse, pollution and degradation.” The National
Environment (Waste Management) Regulations, S.I. No 52/1999; Provides that all wastes shall
be properly managed among other regulatory frame works like The Local Government Act 1997.
The Town and country planning act 1964 provides a policy legal frame work against which
physical planning is done on urban settlements. It provides for the creation of Town and country
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34. planning board, a body responsible for hand use planning approval and gazzetting structural
plans. However this law is out dated and in effective to enforce compliance and discipline and
this has greatly contributed to irresponsible littering of garbage.
By the year 2025, it is estimated that Uganda’s population will be about 54 million, with over
30% living in urban areas. It is therefore important that policies are designed to address potential
adverse effects. Since population increase is said to be one of the causes of rampant poor waste
management.
2.11 Opportunities from wastes.
It should be noted that though the word "waste" refers to something that is "no longer serving a
purpose", something "without value" (as the Concise Oxford Dictionary puts it), Obviously,
however, certain people in certain circumstances consider waste materials as a resource for their
family, their livelihood, or their enterprise. The so- called waste materials may serve as a crucial
resource within households. For example, oily milk packages may be used as fuel; leftover food
may be fed to pigs and goats; discarded cardboard may serve as walls and roofs of houses. If
that is the case, one can expect that household members re-value waste materials and see their
usefulness for different purposes, such as domestic utility, saving on household expenditures,
earning money, or other purposes (ERL, 2008). Therefore, this study was seeking to find out
whether the people in Kyazanga have some of these practices that serve to promote a clean and
safe environment.
2.12 Gaps identified
Although several researchers have carried out a number of studies on the causes of poor waste
management and have provided a number of solutions to waste management in different parts of
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35. this Uganda and the world at large, it should noted with concern that most if not all these studies
have been carried out in big towns like Kampala, Masaka, jinja, Mbale Mbarara among others
and not in the small emerging towns like Kyazanga. Therefore, the Researcher carried this study
to validate whether such causes of poor waste management and their solutions are applicable to
Kyazanga Town council and establish Proposals for Change and Improvement in waste
management. (See the findings in Chpt 4).
2.13 Recommendation.
The inadequacies and inconsistencies in the Environmental policies in the context of waste
management at both national and local levels call for a comprehensive national policy to guide
and streamline waste management in Uganda. These processes should be initiated by the all
stakeholder in waste management sector.
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36. CHAPTER THREE:
3.0 Methodology
3.1 Introduction
This chapter presents the methods and tools that were used to conduct this research. It specifies
the research strategy, sampling procedures, research instruments and data analysis techniques
that were used to explore the underlying causes of poor waste management and seek the local
people’s opinions on how the problem would be handled.
This chapter describes the methods and the procedures that were used to conduct the research. It
also describes the research design (Triangulation method) that is qualitative and quantitative
designs this is because there was a need to obtain a variety of information on the same issue, to
use the strength of each method to overcome the deficiencies that could come from using one
design and to achieve a higher degree of validity and reliability. Data was collected from two
main sources, primary and secondary. Primary sources of data comprised mainly interviews, and
use of questionnaires. Secondary data was collected from the already existing documents about
waste management at the Town Council.
3.2 Research design
The research strategy that the study utilized was the descriptive method. A descriptive research
intended to present facts concerning the nature and the status of the situation, as it exists at a time
of the study and to describe the present conditions, events or systems based on impressions or
reactions of the respondents of the research. This study was also concerned with the relationships
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37. and practices that exist, beliefs and processes that are ongoing, effects that are being felt or
trends that are developing about poor waste management. The researcher used cross-section
study and triangulation methods (i.e. qualitative and quantitative designs). In this study, both
methods were be utilized for instance the qualitative opinions that were obtained were confirmed
by statistical data. Finally, the study used in-depth interviews, observations (qualitative) as well
as survey and statistical records like graphs, pie-charts and tables (Quantitative).
3.3 Area and population of Study.
The study was conducted in Kyazanga Town council, Lwengo district one of the newly created
district formerly part of Masaka district. It is one of town councils that form Lwengo district. It is
located in the approximately 96 miles (154km) and 46 km from Masaka along Masaka –
Mbarara Road and 10 km from Lwengo district headquarters. The Town council has a total
population of about 15832 of whom 4625 are female, 4432 are male and 6775 are children
between 0-18 years. The 2002 Uganda national census estimated the population of Lwengo
District at about 242,300. The exact population of the district as of December 2010 is not known.
The Population in Kyazanga is mixed with different tribes ranging from Banyankole-Bakiga,
Bafumbira, Banyarwanda and Baganda. The main activity of the people in Kyazanga T.C is
business- (small scale business); while other people are peasants who go to the nearby village for
farming since this is the main source of food and livelihood survival. The Town Council houses
the only Health centre IV in the district and most of the educational institutions.
The nature and the characteristics of the Population in Kyazanga (mixed) and the nature of the
activities (small scale business) can be attributed to poor waste management in the area, where a
lot of waste is generated through their retail businesses.
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38. 3.4 Sample size estimation.
The sample size comprised of 76 respondents (local people- considering a number of issues like
residential, business-small or high etc) from different Wards of Kyazanga T.C, 10 education
institutions, 4 health centres/clinics and 10 the Local leaders a total of 100 respondents was
selected from the four zones of Bukyanagandi, Kanakulya Byuma, central and Maida.
3.5 Sampling procedure and sampling techniques.
The researcher used a non probability sampling procedure where purposive and quota sampling
techniques were employed. This was because, in purposive/judgmental sampling, the researcher
purposively chose respondents who, in his opinion, were thought to be relevant to the research
topic. In this case the researcher was convinced that his judgment was more important than
obtaining a probability sample because the problem of waste management is not a new
phenomena therefore, to obtain relevant data, one must choose relevant respondents. Whereas in
quota sampling instead of dividing the population into strata and randomly choosing of
respondents, the researcher chose to set a ‘quota’ of respondents to be chosen in specific
population groups, by defining the basis of choice ( gender, education, status, wealth etc) and
this still was used in determining size.
3.6. Data collection techniques.
The researcher used both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection because
qualitative methods involve the use of words rather than numbers; the methods involved
descriptions of the study and this helped the researchers to go beyond conceptions and generate
and revise frameworks. This approach helped the researcher to generate quality information that
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39. gave meaning to numbers. While quantitative methods involved the collection of numerical data
in order to explain, predict and control phenomena of interest and the data that was collected is
presented as a table in numbers. The numerical data obtained is used to explain the social life of
the people of Kyazanga in relation to waste management. These methods included,
administering questionnaire, interviewing and observation.
3.7. 0 Tools to be used in research
3.7.1 Questionnaires
The questionnaire comprised of sections like; the demography where the respondent’s sex,
marital status, income level, type of apartment-rental or owned among others were asked. They
also consisted of questions both open and closed in which if answered well, would have
exhausted the research objectives and question. In this method of data collection, the respondents
got and filled in a formerly well structured questionnaire. These questionnaires were home/office
delivered. The questionnaires were personally delivered to and later picked from the premises of
the respondent. The respondents were given time to fill in the questionnaires. The researcher
believes that this method gave the respondents enough time to reflect, concentrate and in some
instances to consult. However, to the semi- literate respondents, the questions were read by the
researcher and then translated into local languages for clear understanding and proper responses.
3.7.2 The interview guide
The researcher conducted personal interviews especially to key informants like the Town Clerk,
chair person LC III and the Health Inspector. The Researcher also introduced himself to the
respondents by presenting an introductory letter from the university. The Interviewer then
precisely explained the purpose of the carrying out the study on the causes of poor waste
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40. management in Kyazanga T.C. The researcher went ahead to explain how the potential
respondents were selected and that the responses were to be confidential and anonymous, which
could not be used against the respondent. It was made clear to the respondents that the interviews
were not testing knowledge but rather helping the researcher to learn from them. While
interviewing, the researcher was guided by a well structured set of questions which worked as a
interview guide.
3.7.3 Observation and a camera.
This is “a purposive or intentional examination of something, particularly for purposes of data
gathering”. (Chaplain 1968). The researcher used observation method where the occurrences of
poor waste management events were highly recorded. The researcher used tools like a camera to
take pictures of wastes littered anyhow in the Town council.
3.7.4 Secondary data.
This is the use of the already collected data that was not specifically gathered for the research
question at hand. This data could be government or non-governmental or private statistics. The
researcher had anticipated to get information relevant to the study by reviewing documents about
waste management; these documents included, the publications, annual reports of the ministry of
health, periodicals, journals, magazines and other literature written by different knowledgeable
scholar. The researcher hoped that such information would help as the starting point for
additional research. Unfortunately, the T.C has got only a work plan pamphlet which was
compiled in 2009. This is the only working, and guiding document the TC owns which has half a
page information on waste management. This partly explains why this study was conducted in
order to provide information for the leaders and the entire community.
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41. 3.8 Procedure for Data Collection.
Both open-ended and closed-ended questionnaires were also used for data collection. Mostly
closed-ended questionnaires were used to collect easily analyzable data. Interview guides were
designed and reviewed by the researcher. A set of question were prepared for reference by the
researcher and were approved by the research supervisor. The researcher pre-tested the
questionnaire before he finally put to use.
After the approval of the research proposal, the researcher identified two Research Assistants
(R.As) with a bias in social research who were oriented on this research and trained in
interviewing; data collection and data coding skills and then pre tested the questionnaires.
At this point it was important to prepare a plan for data processing and data analysis based on
which aspects of data collected was to generate qualitative and quantitative analyzable data.
After scheduling the meeting with respondents, the research team started with in-depth personal
interviews each lasted for 10-15 minutes. During all these sessions, the researcher was the
moderator while one of the R.As was taking down notes and the whole team carefully listened
and observed the conversations.
3.9.0 Data Quality Control.
Data safeguarding and ensuring the accuracy and completeness of the same quality control
comprises of validity of the instrument that used in the study. This was maintained through tests
of validity and reliability.
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42. 3.9.1 Validity.
Validity in this case refers to the appropriateness, meangfulness and usefulness of the
inferences/deductions a researcher makes (fraenkel & Wallen 1996:153). In order to establish
validity of the instruments, the draft questionnaire was given to the supervisor and academic
colleagues and experts. They were requested to comment on the question wording and the depth
of the questionnaire and its ability to address the research objectives (relevancy). The comments
that were obtained helped to improve on the research instrument.
3.9.2 Reliability.
Reliability refers to the consistency of the responses obtained from one administration of an
instrument to another and from one set of items to another (Fraenkel & Wallen 1996:160). To
ensure consistence of the research instrument, the researcher used simple language and clear
instructions which were quite appropriate to the respondents. Instructions were made as simple
and clear as possible. Questions were phrased clearly to ensure consistence in responses of the
participants. The respondents who participated in the study were expected to be knowledgeable
to provide reliable information. The selected sample was adequate and representative. After all
that, the instrument were pre-tested in a pilot study and the researcher pre-tested a minimum of
10 questionnaires. The researcher did that in instances where he was not sure about the adequacy
of the optional response categories that had been devised for one question, for instance questions
that had options like ‘Others, please specify’, the researcher’s concern was be that the response
set to that question might not be effective; as a result the option ‘Others, please specify’ might
attract a disproportionally large number of responses, a problem the researcher wished to avoid.
The results of the pre-testing brought on board very important modifications in the questionnaire.
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43. These tests were carried out to ensure consistency and to find out how easy the final study would
be done.
3.10 Research Formalities.
The research procedure began by getting introduction letter from the University which was
presented by the researcher to the authorities in Kyazanga to be allowed to access secondary
data, reports and carry out research in the areas. And in return, the Town Clerk replied by writing
an acceptance letter to the Researcher.(see Appendix)
3.11 Data Analysis and interpretation.
It should be noted that, data obtained from the field in raw form is difficult to interpret. The
initial data collected was subjected to quality checks, to ensure that the recordings were correctly
done with minimal errors. This entailed editing, repeating interviews where necessary, coding,
summarizing, categorizing and grouping similar information, analyzing according to the theme
of the study. The researcher deemed it important to note quotations and observations made
during the interviews and their sources or the name of the interviewee. All the questionnaires
were analyzed whether completed or not.
Data analysis and processing was on-going and statistical analysis was done manually and where
possible the researcher used Microsoft Excel Spreadsheets, and frequencies of the emerging
issues were then established in a tabular or graphic form like pie-chats, bar graph and frequencies
and percentages were generated. (See Chpt 4).
Care was taken to avoid discarding any data, as this could be reverted to in later analysis.
Relevant quotations were ear-marked. Analysis was done manually as earlier mentioned by
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44. identifying areas of emphasis according to themes and the responses summarized in a narrative
form as a presentation of the major findings of the study.
At the end of it all, it was from the results of analysis that the researcher was able to make sense
of the data in order to give concrete interpretation and discussion of the data obtained in relation
to phenomenon of poor waste management.
3.12 Limitations of the study and possible way forward.
The study was comprehensive and the researcher used considerable finances to execute the study
successfully. However, despite the envisaged limitations of logistical and financial difficulties,
the researcher endeavored to get the required resources to complete the study within the required
time frame.
The researcher found some respondents who were not willing to cooperate in giving out
information concerning poor waste management claiming I was T.C staffs who was disguising to
be a researcher instead looking for information to pin them for poor waste management.
However, the researcher tried to build a rapport first which helped in building a strong bond with
the respondents which later enabled him to get the required information.
Time factor; this was one of the greatest challenge the researcher faced during the research.
There was limited time for the researcher to go the field, make introductions, carry out research,
collect data, interpret the findings and then write a scholar report.
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45. 3.13 Dissemination of the results.
Once this copy of the research is approved, the researcher will distribute the findings to the areas
/ offices that were helpful during data collection exercise. For instance, Town council offices and
the council Health inspect, to enable them update their information and to discover the gaps in
the policy about waste management. The university will retain a copy of approved dissertation
for academic reference and the researcher will retain a copy.
3.14 Ethical consideration
The researcher sought permission from the local council leaders in order to allow him
collect data
He deemed it necessary not include the names of the respondents on the questionnaires.
The researcher explained the purpose of research to the respondents
3.15 Conclusion.
All in all, the chapter shows the methodological framework that guided the researcher in the
collection and analysis of data acquired from the different study respondents.It shows the
various data collection techniques that were employed to enable the researcher to get all the
required information that was needed for this research. It brouht out the particular category of
people that were involved in this research and why they were picked upon.
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46. CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
4.1 Introduction
In this chapter, the researcher presents the findings of the study conducted on waste
management within urban areas in Uganda; a case study of Kyazanga town council, Lwengo
district. The findings are presented using tables, bar graphs and pie charts, which are later
analyzed by percentages under some of the variables. Most of the findings are descriptive in
nature.
4.2. Back ground Characteristics of Respondents
4.2.1. Sex of the respondents.
The researcher considered the sex of the respondent because he wanted to study the variations in
the views and perceptions and the role played by both men and women regarding waste
management.
Table 1: Sex of the Respondents
Sex Frequency Percentage
Female 51 51%
Male 49 49%
Total 100 100%
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47. Figure 1: Distribution of respondents by sex.
Respondents by sex
52%
%ges 51%
50% Percentage
49%
48%
Female Male
sex
The findings presented in table 1 above show that, out of the total sample size of 100 respondents
contacted during the study, 51% were females and 49% males. Findings specifically revealed
that the women were more engaged in waste management issues than the men. This was because
most households that were interviewed, husbands would ask their wives to respond to the
researcher than themselves claiming the wives were more engaged than themselves and that the
women had more of the domestic responsibilities to handle compared to men. And therefore,
women were found to be more engaged in waste management than men and possibly this
explains the burdens women carry on top of the domestic role they play. It was found out that
since waste management was a new phenomenon, women (who in this case are the most
responsible) tend to give waste management the last priority hence poor waste management in
the Town Council.
4.2. 2: Distribution of individual respondents by the zone.
With the guide of the local leaders we were to identify four zones which include; Bukyanagandi,
Kanakulya Byuma, Maida and central zones from the total number of Twelve (12) zones.
Bukyanagandi, Kanakulya Byuma and Mayida zones were selected because they have more
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48. residential people and a lot of illegal waste
dumping in more observed than any other zone
while Central zone is known for being the hub of
business in the Town council.
Health centres and schools visited are spread
throughout different zones that were selected. It
should be noted that Kyazanga being one of the
growing Town Councils, a lot is needed especially planning for infrastructure developments ob.
It was observed by the researcher that there is no single zone that is said to be residential or
business oriented. All zones have people doing small scale business (Retail shops) and
Residential. However, zones like Central accommodates more people in business than any other
zone. It was therefore; found out that these zones due to their large numbers alongside poor
building plans explain why a lot of waste is choking the Town Council.
Table 2: The distribution of respondents by zones.
Zone Frequency Percentages
Central 32 32%
Bukyanagandi 30 30%
Kanakulya 24 24%
Byuma
Maida 14 14%
Total 100 100%
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49. Figure 2: The pie-chart showing the distribution of the respondents by zone.
From above, central zone had the highest number of respondents with 32% because it has the
highest number of residents in business sector and an area that generates a lot of garbage that is
indiscriminately littered anywhere. The study also selected Bukyanagandi, Kanakulya Byunma
and Maida Zones with 30%, 24% and 14% respectively. These zones were selected because they
have the highest dilapidated structures and this go hand in hand with waste management. Such
zones can afford of wastes as a challenge to their health. On top of the above, these zones have
the highest open dumping spaces. Approximately, ¾ of the apartments selected were either
dumping wastes behind the shelter or in any open place. The current situation in conjunction
with the attitude of the people if not handled carefully and strongly, these zones could be a
source of diseases that can be spread to other zones.
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50. 4.2.3: The income level category.
The researcher had interest in the income level category of the people of Kyazanga in order to
draw relationship between wealth/income and waste management. There were three categories of
income that the researcher observed i.e. low income, middle income and high income.
Table 3. The distribution of the respondents as per the income category.
Income level Frequency
Low 50
Middle 30
High 20
Total 100
Figure 3: Income levels of Respondents.
Income levels of respondents
50
40
Low
No. of 30 Middle
Respondents 20 High
10
0
Frequency
From the graph above, half of the total number of respondents was under low income category
representing 50%. Majority of these respondents said that because of using cheap non bio-
degradable containers which are not easy to dispose off, like ‘Buveera’. The alternatives that
should have been used like paper bags are not easily available to poor urban dwellers. Even
when some of the alternatives are available, the prices of these solid wastes especially polythene
bags are low compared to other containers which makes their proper disposal very difficult. To
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51. the middle and high income apartments, a lot is also generated by relatively managed and
collected by the Volunteer Youth Group. It is important to observe at this point that the role
played by the service providers should be cross cutting NOT segregate as it is. It was reported
that poor households were NOT receiving any service from the Team at all.
4.2.4 Category of the premise of collection.
This study considered two major categories of apartments/premises. These included basically
residential and business sector. The researcher found out that at a household level all sorts of
wastes are generated and so is the case for the business sector. The business sector includes
people engaged in retail and wholesale shops, stalls of green vegetables, and restaurants. The
researcher included this section of premise of collection for a number of reasons; one was to
establish the source of the wastes that are choking the T.C, are the major generators, if there any
means used to collect, transport and dispose off.
a). The residential premises.
The table below shows the number of respondents under Residential premises in relation to their
income level.
Table 4 (a). Premise of collection
Residential premise Frequency Percentage ( %)
a) Low Income 25 50%
b) Middle 15 30%
income
c) High Income 10 20%
Total 50 100%
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52. Figure 4 (a):Distributions of respondents at the residential level in relation to
income levels.
Residental Respondents
60%
50%
Respondents
Percentage of
40%
30% Percentage ( %)
20%
10%
0%
Low Income Middle High Income
income
Income level
The findings in table 4 above indicate that a total number of 50 respondents were interviewed.
Low income household since they are the majority had 50% representation, 30% for middle
income and 20% for high income.
b). The business sector.
Table 4 (b). distribution of respondents in the business sector as per
their income level.
Business
Low Income 25 50%
Middle income 15 30%
High Income 10 20%
Total 50 100%
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53. Figure 4 (b). Respondents from the Business sector.
Respondents from the Business sector
30 60%
Respondents in
25 50%
Respondents
Percentage
20 40%
No. of
15 30%
10 20%
5 10%
0 0%
Low Income Middle income High Income
Income level
No. of Respondents Percentage
The findings in table 4 (b) above, it is indicated that still a total number of 50 respondents were
interviewed in the business sector. The researcher drew respondents from different income levels
in order to study the variations in the opinions about waste management in the TC. Low income
business dealers formed 50% representation, 30% for middle income and 20% for high income
as it was the case in the residential respondents. It can be observed that in both categories of
respondents i.e. residential and business, the low income people are the majority. The question
then is; does the level of income determine the waste management in TC? This question is to be
answered in the following analysis.
4.2. 5: Position of the respondents in the apartment.
The research chose this demographic characteristic of respondents in order establish who plays a
bigger role in waste management at both house hold level or at a business establishment.
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54. Table 5: distribution of respondents by positions.
Residential level No. of respondents Percentage (%)
Spouse of the Head of 41 40
establishment/House wives
Owners /Heads 51 52
Employees/ Care takers 8 8
Total 100 100
Figure 5: Distribution of respondents by positions held in the establishment.
The position of each respondent was taken to be a very important demographic variable for the
study because these position influences one’s ability to engage in an activity that is
environmental friendly or not. As seen in the table above, 41% of people were Spouses of the
Head of establishment/House wives, 51% of the respondents were heads/owners of the
apartments compared to 8% of the employees/care takers.
4.2.6: Education levels
The researcher considered education as a very important demographic characteristic during
which people not only get to know about themselves but also what happens around them. It was
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55. believed by the researcher that people who have had an opportunity to know the dangers of poor
waste management are better placed to manage wastes either by having a collection container or
having an alternative way of managing wastes properly. Respondents were classified into four
education levels of education including No formal education, primary, secondary, and tertiary
(University).
Table 6. Education levels of the Respondents
Education Level Frequency Percentage (%)
Non formal 53 53
Primary 21 21
Secondary 19 19
Tertiary (University) 7 7
Total 100 100
Figure 6. Distribution of respondents according to their levels of Education.
Respondents by education level
No. of Respondents
60 60%
50 50%
Percentage
40 40% Frequency
30 30%
20 20% Percentage
10 10%
0 0%
(University)
Secondary
Primary
Non formal
Tertiary
Education level
From table 6, indicates that the majority of the respondents had not attained formal education
(53%). Those who had attained primary education were 21%. Respondents with secondary
education level were 19% and those with tertiary and university education were only 7%. The
higher percentage of respondents with Non-Formal education level was expected since they form
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56. the highest percentage in the area and probably this explains why the issues of waste
management are lagging behind in Kyazanga Town Council. The researcher noticed during this
study that because of the low levels of education, most of such respondents had no idea about the
legal and institutional frame works in place. In other words lack of information goes hand in
hand with the level of education.
It should be noted with concern that the level of education forms the basis of waste management.
It was found out that low levels of education contributes to poor waste management mechanisms
while high level of education contribute positively towards waste management. Therefore, the
researcher deemed it was necessary to include this demographic characteristic while assessing
the persistent causes of waste management.
4.2.7: Time spent in KTC. (How long have you stayed in Kyazanga).
Majority of the respondents especially in the residential apartments have stayed in Kyazanga for
a period ranging from three years and above. Meaning there are those who have been in the area
for more than forty years and others for the whole of their lives. On the side of those engaged in
business, there are those who have just stayed in Kyazanga for a year while others have been
their for a long period of time and this became very hard for the researcher to generalise since
some respondents were born in the area and they are now engaged in business. The researcher
chose to use the time spent in Kyazanga because it would help to explain whether the
respondents knew the stages the area had gone through from a hunting and grazing area to
trading centre to Town Board and finally to Town Council. Of course each of these levels have a
role to play on waste management.
Does such a population structure and settlement pattern explain why waste management is poor
in the area? To some extent yes; the researcher found out that because people have spent a long
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57. period of time in the area, it becomes hard for local leaders to enforce the laws/ordinances on
waste management because most the people are closely related families. It was suggested that to
succeed in executing duties pertaining waste management, a civil servant who is not born in the
area would be better placed.
4.3: Is waste management a problem?
The researcher included this question in order to know how establish whether the residents of
Kyazanga could notice that poor waste management was a problem. The respondents were from
residential, Business sector, Health centres and schools. In all these apartments, the respondents
admitted that waste management is a problem and they argued that the problem, was very serious
as the population continues to grow.
Table 6: distribution of responses on whether waste management was a
problem.
Respondents Frequency Percentage (%) Responses
Low Income 50 50% Yes
Middle income 30 30% Yes
High Income 20 20% Some how
Total 100 100%
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58. Figure 7: Responses on whether waste management was a problem.
Responses on problem of waste mgt
60%
50%
40%
30% Percentage (%)
20%
10%
0%
Yes Yes Some how
Low Income Middle income High Income
Income level
From the figure (7) above, 50% of the respondents were under low income category said that
waste management was indeed a threat and their response to the question was yes. This was the
same case with the middle income which was represented by 30%. Unlike the two, the high
income respondents did not look at waste management as a problem because most of their time,
they are enclosed in their perimeter block with full water tanks, gas cylinders or charcoal and
they could afford to pay a person to collect their wastes at least three times a week and these
comprised of 20% .
4.8. What form of wastes is commonly generated in the apartments?
Most respondents generated wastes that included; organic waste like kitchen waste, vegetables,
flowers, leaves, fruits and non organic wastes like plastics, polythene bags, paper, glass, and
metals. It was found out that in a week, the residential respondents approximately generated
between 8-10 kg of wastes. While the people engaged in business generate between 10-20kgs.
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59. This poses a great challenge when it comes to waste management. There is no proper means of
collecting, transporting and disposal of such wastes.
4.9. Does your house hold have a container?
The respondents were asked whether they had containers where wastes were being collected
from and the responses varied as follow.
Table 8: distribution of responses on the question whether the
respondents had a container.
Respondents Frequency Percentage (%) Responses
Low Income 50 50% No
Middle income 30 30% Yes
High Income 20 20% Yes
Total 100 100%
Figure 8: Distribution of Responses on whether Premises had containers
Responses on the availability of the container
20% Yes 50% No
Low Income
30% yes Middle income
High Income
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60. Findings presented in table 8, generally shows that most of the respondents who participated in
this study had no containers or anything they used to store in their collected waste at a household
level/premises and this took the largest percentage of 50%. Findings also revealed however that a
significant percentage of the respondents (30%) had where to store the accumulated waste but
not a proper waste container. The 30% used polythene bags, sacks and other materials. These
would at times tire or break before disposed off. And the rest of the respondents 20% had
containers where they would store their wastes until the volunteer group comes for collection.
The study further revealed that majority of the respondents who never had containers were the
low income earners. While conducting the study, it was observed that such house holds were
either throwing wastes behind the house or in an open space. And this poses a health threat
especially when it rains. To the respondents who are high income earners, they at least had
polythene bags, sacks, metallic containers among other ways. One would be able to tell a
difference between such house holds and those of the low income earners. However, much as
these house holds could afford to have collection containers and have the volunteer group collect
wastes, it revealed that there was no proper ways of disposing off these wastes.
Source: field data
The researcher on his further investigation into the matter observed that whereas some business
respondents, at least had; a metallic container, polythene bags or the bucket where they would
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61. keep their wastes and that this limited the littering of such wastes with in the apartments. Most of
these wastes would be found in water channel, along the road, in open spaces, in corridors as
seen in the pictures above.
4.10. Who provided the container that was used on your premises?
In order to establish the source of the container, the respondents were asked who provided the
container that was used in the premises. Findings from this question are presented in table 9
below.
Table 9: distribution of responses on who provided the container
Category of Frequency of Percentage of Responses
respondents respondents respondents
Middle 30 60 Self
High 20 40 Self
Total 50 100%
Figure 9: distribution of responses on who provided the container.
Percentage of respondents
60
40
60
50
40
30 Percentage of respondents
20
10
0
self self
Middle High
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