KCCA Shifts from Dumping to Advanced Waste Recycling Technologies

Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) is set to revolutionize its waste management system by phasing out dumping at the Buyala landfill in Mpigi District. The authority is in the final stages of selecting companies that will implement modern technologies aimed at converting waste into valuable resources.

This strategic shift is in direct response to a presidential directive to halt dumping at the Buyala site, which is also slated for an oil storage facility by the Uganda National Oil Company (Unoc).

KCCA’s Executive Director, Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki, clarified that the directive is not to abandon the land but to adopt cutting-edge waste management techniques. “He directed us to stop dumping and embrace modern technologies. That is the road we are on,” Buzeki stated.

The authority has secured parliamentary funding for the initial phase of transforming the landfill into an integrated waste management and material recovery facility. Buzeki emphasized that dumping is an unsustainable practice, and the current landfill operations are a temporary measure during this transition.

To support this new direction, KCCA is actively promoting waste sorting at the source of generation through community sensitization campaigns and providing sample sorting bins. This proactive approach aims to facilitate easier reuse and recycling of waste materials.

The transition was discussed during an oversight visit by Parliament’s Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (Cosase) to the Buyala facility. The committee also addressed concerns regarding the lack of a weighbridge and a perimeter wall at the landfill.

Regarding the proximity to the proposed Unoc oil facility, KCCA maintains that their land is sufficiently separated, with approximately 450 acres and privately owned land between the two sites. The committee intends to verify land titles and consult with relevant parties to resolve any discrepancies.

KCCA acquired the 230-acre Buyala site in February 2025 for approximately Shs16 billion, following the closure of the Kiteezi landfill, to establish a modern waste management infrastructure.

Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/kcca-embraces-garbage-recycling-5637598