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The Kampala Capital City Authority is pushing forward with plans to establish a waste-to-energy facility on 135 acres in Ddundu Parish, Mukono District, to address waste management challenges in Kampala.

The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) is advancing plans to develop a waste-to-energy facility on 135 acres of land in Ddundu Parish, Mukono District. The project, aimed at addressing waste management challenges in Kampala, is currently in the preparatory phase, with key pre-feasibility studies completed.

KCCA Executive Director Dorothy Kisaka revealed that technical surveys, as well as soil and groundwater tests, have been conducted to inform the design and sizing of the waste incineration infrastructure. “The land is legally owned by KCCA with all necessary documentation and title deeds in place. It was acquired in 2016 at a cost of Shs5 billion after thorough due diligence and negotiation,” Kisaka stated.

Kisaka made these remarks while appearing before the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities, and State Enterprises (COSASE) to address concerns raised by Members of Parliament regarding the Kiteezi landfill slide and broader waste management issues in Kampala and its metropolitan areas.

Community Resistance and Continuous Engagement

Despite the progress, Kisaka noted that the project has faced resistance from local leaders and the community in Mukono, who have opposed the intended use of the land for waste management. “A significant number of opinion leaders in the area sued KCCA to stop the project,” Kisaka explained. However, she emphasized that ongoing engagement efforts are being made to address concerns and ensure the community benefits from the initiative.

Waste Management Challenges in Kampala

During the same meeting, Deputy Lord Mayor Doreen Nyanjura highlighted the severe waste management challenges faced by KCCA, citing a significant reduction in the city’s garbage truck fleet. “KCCA currently has only 12 garbage trucks, down from 48 a decade ago. These trucks are in a deplorable state and are insufficient to collect waste from 60% of Kampala’s population living in informal settlements,” Nyanjura said.

She pointed out that while there has been engagement with the private sector to improve waste collection models, the capacity of existing private companies is still too low to adequately manage the waste generated in Kampala.

Calls for Government Support

Both Kisaka and Nyanjura urged the government to expedite the proposed waste-to-energy solutions for the Ddundu site and ensure the necessary licensing is granted by various agencies. “Building an up-to-date recycling plant will enable KCCA to move away from outdated and unhealthy methods of waste disposal,” Nyanjura stressed.

The committee chairperson, Hon. Medard Sseggona, questioned the lack of coordination between the political and technical wings of KCCA in managing the waste crisis. “How can the technical team meet the Chief Executive of the country without the political team? This is a time for cohesion, not division,” Sseggona remarked, urging KCCA to work together more effectively to resolve the crisis.

Sseggona also requested detailed information from KCCA regarding the investor expected to manage the Ddundu waste treatment and disposal site, signaling the committee’s continued interest in the project’s progress.