WASTE MANAGEMENT WITHIN URBAN AREAS IN UGANDA; A CASE STUDY OF KYAZANGA TOWN COUNCIL, LWENGO DISTRICT.
BY
NATAMBA SHADRACK
RS09M13/503
A RESEARCH PROPOSAL 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.
SUPERVISOR: MR. KIZITO MARTIN.
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 will be conducted in Kyazanga Town council, Lwengo District where by the researcher will be seeking to explore the underlying causes of poor waste management in the Town Council and by the end of it all, possible solutions will have been found.
It is important to note that waste management is not an isolated phenomenon that can be easily classified and solved with one strategy. It 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.
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 helps the researcher to be in position to relate and verify whether what other scholars have written could be applicable to Kyazanga and also to identify the gap that these researchers have not been able to identify.
Talking about methodology, this research being exploratory in nature, it will use 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 will be administered to those sampled to participate in the study about the causes of poor waste management and these will be supplemented by observation. Data will be analyzed in line with the research objectives and questions and recommendations will be made accordingly.
Therefore, this study is 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
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, aaccording 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.
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).
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. 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, Kyazanga may not be unique from other urban areas and this is why this study will be carried out to explore what is in Kyazanga.
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,” The National Environment (Waste Management) Regulations, S.I. No 52/1999; The Local Government Act 1997, all have provisions of how all wastes shall be properly managed among other regulatory frame works like
People seem not be caring about the way wastes are handled may 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 very well.
In addition to the above is the lack of proper institutional arrangements, poor technologies like modern trucks and the lack of the capacity by the council to handle the wastes generated. CBOs, Private, Town council or Public partnership
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 will seek to explore the causes of poor waste Management and seek the local people’s opinions on how the problem would be handled/mitigated. The data to be gathered in this study will provide leaders with information relating to how they may address or mitigate factors responsible for poor waste management.
1.3 The purpose of the study
The purpose of this study will be to establish the underlying causes of poor waste management and seek the local people’s opinions on how the problem would be handled.
1.4.0 General Objective
To establish the causes of poor waste management in Kyazanga Town Council.
1.4.1 Specific objectives
• To find out the means used to 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.
The study will be 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 will focus on 100 respondents in the bid to establish the underlying causes of poor waste management in Kyazanga Town Council and the study will be both a quantitative and qualitative in nature.
The researcher intends to review documents, reports and collect data from 2005 to date. The data collected will cover five years before Kyazanga gained a Town Council status and after to be able to illustrate whether with the new status, the problem of poor waste management has reduced, remained the same or increased.
1.6 Significance of the Study
This research is expected to generate more information to the already existing body of knowledge in the area of waste management and to Kyazanga in particular.
Also the research findings will enlighten the policy makers, local leaders and the local people of the gaps existing in the waste management. These findings will help in drafting appropriate policies and the council will be in position to initiate programs that will empower citizens and make them aware of the dangers of poor waste management so that both the council and citizens would join efforts to solve the problem at hand.
In addition to the above, the study will also provide future scholars and researchers with information regarding the causes of poor waste management
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 is against this background that the study on waste management is carried out to explore the underlying causes to the challenges of waste management in Kyazanga town.
1.8 Hypothesis
Lack of environmental awareness- has led to ignorance among the people about the effects of poor waste management.
In addition, lack of enough trained man power and weak laws have made the problem of waste management worse.
On top of the above, the institution has insufficient funds to facilitate the collection, transport and dispose off such wastes.
Therefore, ignorance coupled with lack of enough trained man power, weak laws and insufficient funds deepen the problem bigger.
1.9 Conceptual framework:
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.
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; people will set structures like buildings without dumping sites because of weak laws among others.
It should be noted that all those will lead to a number of Health problems and these include; Infrastructure destruction, Contamination of water bodies and Sanitation and hygiene.
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.
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 these text books, websites, News papers and journals. In this section, the main purpose was to review issues related to waste management that has 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).
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 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. 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.
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).
2.3 Global perspective about waste generation and management.
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).
2.4 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;
• 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.
2.5 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.
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 safely and effectively treating and disposing hazardous waste has not even come close to the technology for producing the stuff.
2.6 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.
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.
2.7 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).
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.
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. 8. Some of the human and environmental problems that can attributed 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 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). 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.
2.9 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 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.
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 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.
2.10 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 will be seeking to find out whether the people in Kyazanga have some of these practices that serve to promote a clean and safe environment.
2.11 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 this country 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, this study will seek 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.
2.12 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.
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 Methodology
3.1 Introduction
This chapter presents the methods and tools that will be used to conduct the research. It specifies the research strategy, sampling procedures, research instruments and data analysis techniques that will be 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 will be used to conduct the research. It also describes the research design (mixed methods) that is qualitative and quantitative designs this is because of the 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 will be collected from two main sources, primary and secondary. Primary sources of data will comprise mainly interviews, and use of questionnaires. Secondary data will be collected from the already existing documents about waste management at the Town Council.
3.2 Research design
The research strategy that the study will utilize is the descriptive method. A descriptive research intends 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 will be concerned with the relationships 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 research will use cross-section study and a mixed methods approach (i.e. qualitative and quantitative designs) will be used. In this study, both methods will be utilized for instance the qualitative opinions that will be got will be confirmed by statistical data. Finally, the study intends to use 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 will be 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.
3.4 Sample size estimation and Selection criteria
The sample size will comprise 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. The researcher will use a non probability sampling procedure where purposive and quota sampling techniques will be employed. This is because, in purposive/judgmental sampling, the researcher will purposively choose respondents who, in his opinion, are thought to be relevant to the research topic. In this case the researcher is convinced that his judgment is 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 sets 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 be used in determining size.
3.5. Methods of Data collection
The researcher will use both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection because qualitative methods involve the use of words rather than numbers; the methods will involve descriptions of the study and this will help the researchers to go beyond conceptions and generate and revise frameworks. This approach will help the researcher to generate quality information that will give meaning to numbers. While quantitative methods will involve the collection of numerical data in order to explain, predict and control phenomena of interest and the data to be collected will be presented as a table in numbers. The numerical data obtained will be used to explain the social life of the people of Kyazanga in relation to waste management. These methods will include, administering questionnaire, interviewing and observation.
3.6 0 Tools to be used in research
3.6.1 The interview guide
The researcher will conduct personal interviews and at same time using observation method where the occurrence of the social events or phenomenon will be recorded. While interviewing, the researcher will be guided by both structured and unstructured questionnaires which will work as interview guide. The researcher will use questionnaires to people who can ably read and write, and interview guide to people who cannot read or write hoping that these will be resourceful sources of information.
3.6.2 Questionnaires
The questionnaire will comprise of sections like; the demography were the respondent’s names, status, income level, type of apartment-rental or owned among others will be asked, The will also consist of questions both open and closed in which if answered well, will have exhausted the research objectives and question However, the semi literate respondents, the questions will be translated into local languages during interviews. The researcher believes that this method will give the respondents enough time to reflect, concentrate and at times consult.
3.6.3 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 / private statistics. The researcher will get information from the study of documents about waste management; these documents will include the publications, annual reports of the ministry of health, periodicals, journals, magazines and other literature written by different knowledgeable scholar. This data will help the researcher with the starting point for additional research.
3.7 Research Formalities
The research procedure begins by getting introduction letters from the university which will be presented by the researcher to the authorities in Kyazanga to be allowed to access secondary data, reports and carry out research in the areas.
3.8 Procedure for Data Collection-
Interview guides will be designed and reviewed by the researcher. Both open-ended and closed-ended questionnaires will be used for data collection. Mostly closed-ended questionnaires will be used to collect easily analyzable data. A set of question guides will be prepared for reference by the researcher and once acceptable the questionnaires will be pre-tested before they are finally put to use.
Once the research proposal has been approved, two Research Assistants (R.As) with a bias in social research will be oriented on this research and trained in interviewing, data collection and data coding skills and then pre testing of questionnaires.
At this point it is important to prepare a plan for data processing and data analysis based on which aspects of data collection will generate qualitative and quantitative analyzable data.
After scheduling the meeting with respondents, the research team will start with in-depth interviews with key informants, followed by personal interviews each lasting 10-15 minutes. During all these sessions, the researcher will be the moderator while one of the R.As will be taking down notes and the whole team will carefully listen and observe the conversations.
3.9 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 will be subjected to quality checks, to ensure that the recordings were correctly done with minimal errors. This will entail editing, repeating interviews where necessary, coding, summarizing, categorizing and grouping similar information, analyzing according to the theme of the study. It is important to note quotations and observations made during the interviews and their sources or the name of the interviewee. All the questionnaires must be analyzed whether completed or not.
Data analysis and processing will be on-going and statistical analysis will be done manually and where possible using Microsoft Excel Spreadsheets, frequencies of the emerging issues are then established and this will be presented in a tabular or graphic form like pie-chats, bar graph and frequencies and percentages will be generated.
Care will be taken to avoid discarding any data, as this could be reverted to in later analysis. Relevant quotations will be ear-marked. Analysis will be done manually, 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 is from the results of analysis that the researcher will be able to make sense of the data and he will give his interpretation and discussion of the data obtained in relation to phenomenon poor waste management.
3.10 Dissemination of the results
After researcher is done with analyzing data, he will distribute the findings to the areas / offices that will be helpful during data collection exercise. For instance, Town council offices and the council Health inspect, 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.
3.11 Ethical consideration
• The researcher will seek permission from the local council leaders in order to allow him collect data
• He will not include of the names of the respondents.
• The researcher will explain the purpose of research to the respondents
3.12 Limitations of the study and possible way forward.
The study will be comprehensive and the researcher will use considerable finances to execute the study successfully. However, despite the envisaged limitations of logistical and financial difficulties, the researcher will endeavor to get the required resources to complete the study within the required time frame.
The researcher believes to find uncooperative respondents just as he experienced during his undergraduate research but he intends build a rapport first. He believes this will help to build a strong bond with the respondents which will in getting the required information.
Time factor; this will be the greatest challenge for the research. There will be limited time period for a researcher to go the field, make introductions, carry out research, collect data, interpret the findings and then write a scholar report.
3.13 Conclusion:
All in all, the chapter shows the methodological framework that will guide the researcher in the collection and analysis of data acquired from the different study respondents.It shows the various data collection techniques that will enable the researcher to get all the required information that is needed for this research. It brings out the particular category of people that will be involved in this research and why they are picked upon.
3.14 References
DEAT and DWAF (1999). National Waste Management Strategies and Action Plans for South Africa. Strategy Formulation Phase. PMG 130. DEAT and DWAF, Pretoria.
Environmental Monitoring Association Limited, Kampala Uganda.
Environmental Resource Limited (ERL), (2008); Solid Waste Disposal–Kampala
Municipal Solid Waste Management. UNEP Technical Publication 6, Nov. 1996.
National Environment Management Authority, 2000
NEMA,(1998). Caring for our Environment A Handbook for Local leaders, NEMA in conjunction with Friedrich Ebert stiftung (FES).
Ntategize P, et al, (2000). Draft Strategic Plan for Solid Waste Management for Mpigi District,
Nyakaana et al. 2006), population, urban development and environment in Uganda; the case of Kampala city and its environs. Makerere University, Kampala Uganda
Ntategize et al., (2001), solid waste management strategic plan for Mpigi district, Uganda
The National Environment (Waste Management) Regulations, 1999.
The National Environment Act (NEA) (1999); The Republic of Uganda
The constitution of the Republic of Uganda 1995
Uganda http://planipolis.iiep.unesco.org/upload/uganda/uganda%20HDR%202005.pdf
UNDP, (2005), Uganda Human Development report, United Nations Development Program, Kampala, Uganda,
UNEP. (1996). International Source Book on Environmentally Sound Technologies for
Zake J, Yawe A, Lutalo R and Kaweesa M (2007), A Base line survey Report for Sustainable Neighbours if focus cities project. Environmental Alert, Kampala, Uganda
Zerbock O. ( 2003).Urban Solid Waste Management, Waste Reduction in Developing Countries. Available on http://www.cee.mtu.educ/peacecorps/documents-july03.wastereduction and incineration FINAL. PDF.
4.0 Appendices.
4.1 Appendix 1: Time frame
TASK Weeks
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th
Make collections in proposals.
Finalize the research tools
Training of R.As
Pre-test the research tools
Review secondary data at the T.C.
Collect raw data
Analyze secondary and primary data
Evaluate data
Draft findings
Complete remaining chapters
Submit to Supervisor and await feedback
Revise draft and format for submission
Print, bind and submit
4.2 Appendix 2. QUESTIONNAIRES
My name is Natamba Shadrack; a student of Uganda Christian University. I am doing this study as a partial fulfillment for the Award of a Master of Arts Degree in Development Studies. This questionnaire was drafted to the researcher in exploring the causes of Poor waste management in Kyazanga Town council, Lwengo district. Please answer all the questions with honest. The information you will give is purely academic and it will be treated with a lot of confidentiality. I am requesting you to kindly participate in this study by responding to the following questions.
Section A: Background Characteristics
Area …………………………………………………………………
Name of Respondent (Optional) ……………………………………………………………………………
Circle the income level category. A) High B) middle C) low income
Category of the premise of collection (tick the applicable option). Residential………….schools………… health centres………. Business…………..
Bio-data
1) Position of Respondent (circle the right option)
(a) Health Inspector
(b) Head of household
(c) Head of school/Teacher
(d) Head of the Health centre
(e) Owner of the business
(f) Spouse of head of the establishment
(g) Other, please specify………………………………………………………………………
2) What is your age? (Circle the right option)
(a) Under 24
(b) 25 – 34
(c) 35 – 44
(d) 45 – 54
(e) 55 - 64
(f) Over 65
3) What is your level of education? (Circle the right option)
(a) none
(b) Primary school
(c) Secondary/high school
(d) Tertiary/institution of higher learning
(e) Others (please specify)………………………………………………………………………………………
4) Occupation of the respondent (Circle the applicable option).
i) Peasant farmer
ii) Business person.
iii) Professional
iv) Others specify…………………………………………………………..
5) How long have you been a resident in Kyazanga?
(a) Less than a year
(b) More than a year but less than three years
(c) More than three years but less than ten years
(d) More than ten years
(e) Any other, please state ……………………………………………………………………..
6) Is waste management a problem in this area? Yes No
7) In your opinion, how serious is the problem of waste management (a) Very serious
(b) Somewhat serious
(c) Not serious
(d) Don’t know
8) What forms of wastes are commonly generated in your apartments? (Circle the most applicable opinion). (a) Plastic wastes like Polythene bags and other plastics.
(b) Food stuff wastes
(c) Metal wastes
(d) Paper wastes
(e) Others specify……………………………
Choose the most applicable response
9) Approximately, estimate the quantity of waste produced in your household per week in Kilograms? ……………………………………………………
10) Does your house hold or apartment have a waste container? a) Yesb) No
11) If yes what type of container? ………………………………………………………………..
12) Who provided the container that is used on your premise?
(a) Self
(b) Town Council
Private company.
Others……………………………………
13) If No, how to do you collect your wastes ………………………………………………..
14) How often do you empty you container (a) Several times each day
Daily
Three times a week
Twice a week
Once a week
Less frequently
Don’t know
15) Where do you empty your container from? a) Within the same apartment
b) Just outside the apartment
c) In the open space
d) Onto the collection vehicle
16) How long does it take to collect that accumulated pile for disposal? (a) Several times each day
(b) Daily
(c) Three times a week
(d) Twice a week
(e) Once a week
(f) Less frequently
(g) Don’t know
17) Does your household receive a collection service of any type? (a) Yes
(b) No
(c) Don’t know
18) If yes, who collects garbage from your neighborhood or household? a) Self/private arrangement
b) Town Council
c) Private company.
d) others specify…………..
19) If No how do you dispose off your wastes? ……………………………………………………………
20) How are the collected wastes transported? a. Use wheel barrow
b. The company’s /the T.C s vehicle
c. Any other specify…………………………
21) Do you think the acquisition of the Town Council status made any improvement in waste management?………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Before T.C (July 2010 and below). After the TC (July 2010 to date)
22) The Level of satisfaction by the individuals who receive the services. Please write E-excellent, G-good, F-fair and p-poor. Please write E-excellent, G-good, F-fair and p-poor.
a) What is your opinion of the service that you are receiving for collection of solid waste from your household/establishment?
b) How do you rate the satisfaction with the frequency of garbage collection in your area?
c) Did/Do you pay for solid waste collection and transportation? Please state yes or no below………………… Please state yes or no below…………………….
d) How much do/did you pay as garbage collection fees? Please state in Uganda shillings..…… Please state in Uganda shillings below……………
e) How would/do you rate the amount charged on collection (fees)? …………………………… ……………………..
f) How often do pay to the service providers …………. …………………
23) What do you think is the cause of poor waste management in your neighborhood…………….……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
24) What are the indictors of poor waste management in this area?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
25) What do you consider the most urgent effects related to the poor waste management in your neighborhood?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
26) Are you aware of any legal or institutional frame work that is there to address some of the poor waste management issues in your area? If so please list them.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
27) To what extent do you think the issues of enforcement to ensure compliance with the waste ordinance/law are taken seriously? Give your reason.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
28) What are some of the interventions you would propose to help in improving the situation of waste management in your neighborhood …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
29) Do you think waste can be of value? Explain…………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
I wish to thank you for the opinions given.
