The Influence of Community Participation in Solid Waste Disposal Practices in Kampala.

Abstract

Introduction/background the research entitled “The influence of community involvement in solid waste disposal practices in Kampala” was carried out in Kawempe municipality, Kampala. The study focused on community involvement in solid waste disposal practices. The gap of the study was that although a lot of emphasis has been put on waste management, little was put on community involvement in solid waste disposal practices. The purpose of the study was to establish the influence of community involvement in solid waste disposal practices within Kampala. The objectives of this study were to determine the level of community involvement in solid waste disposal practices in Kampala, identify the solid waste disposal practices in Kampala and to document the proportion of other factors that influence solid waste disposal practices in Kampala. Methodology: A descriptive cross- sectional design was adopted, which used quantitative and qualitative approaches. A simple random sampling technique was employed to get Kalimali settlement in Bwaise parish Kawempe municipality where 90 households were selected to be part of the study. 33.3% were males and 66.7% females participated in the study. A structured questionnaire was administered to the population and four focus group discussions made up of men women local leadership and the youths were engaged in a discussion where more information was collected. Data was analyzed using correlations, cross tabulations and regression in order to understand how the independent variable affects solid waste disposal practices in Kampala. The study was successful. 62% of the respondents' showed that KCC trucks are primarily responsible for the waste collection and management.80% of the waste generated by households in the settlement was organic and 81% of the respondents did not know where garbage was disposed once it left their household. 50% of the respondents held community meetings in which they discussed matters related to waste management. However 77% of the respondents were willing to pay for waste disposal if called upon. Recommendations: The study recommended that was low community involvement led to poor solid waste disposal practices, low segregation of waste and 81% didn't know where waste generated was disposed, cost of waste disposal was the key driver to poor solid waste disposal practices and afford- ability hindered waste disposal be to be strengthened, up scaling incentives such as competition and rewards or recognition would help improve the good waste disposal practices and strengthening link between households and markets for products made out of solid waste would support improve solid waste disposal practices. The study recommended further studies in the areas of determining the level of household head involvement in solid waste management among households.