Kampala residents to incur costs for National Cleaning Day waste

Kampala is gearing up for its next National Cleaning Day on August 29, and this time, residents and businesses will be responsible for the costs associated with the waste they produce. The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has announced a fee structure ranging from Shs 1,000 to Shs 40,000, depending on the type and quantity of waste.

This initiative stems from lessons learned during the previous cleaning day, where the sheer volume of waste overwhelmed the city’s existing collection infrastructure. KCCA Executive Director, Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki, explained that the new charges are designed to bolster waste management efforts and address persistent gaps in routine waste collection.

Kampala grapples with a daily waste generation of 2,000 to 2,500 tonnes, with a significant portion often left uncollected. To tackle this, KCCA has contracted nine private waste collection companies to supplement its own capacity. These companies, along with KCCA’s resources, aim to increase the city’s daily collection capacity to approximately 2,169.5 tonnes.

The “Polluter Pays Principle” under the National Environment Act mandates that waste generators bear the disposal costs. KCCA has set specific rates: Shs 1,000 per 50kg bag for informal settlements, Shs 3,000 per 50kg bag for domestic households and commercial premises, and Shs 40,000 per truckload for large institutions.

During the cleaning exercise, a “bring-to-truck” model will be implemented, requiring residents to bring their waste directly to designated collection trucks. Waste will need to be sorted into organic and inorganic categories. The use of informal transportation methods like handcarts and tuk-tuks for waste disposal is banned to curb illegal dumping.

KCCA will continue to cover the costs for waste generated at public facilities. Residents already using private waste collectors will only need to show proof of payment to have their waste collected. The authority hopes these measures will reduce illegal dumping, expedite waste evacuation, and increase community involvement in maintaining a cleaner city.

Source: https://observer.ug/news/kampalans-to-pay-for-waste-generated-on-national-cleaning-day