By Sadique Bamwita
KAMPALA
The Executive Director Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Hajat Sharifah Buzeki, on August 4,2025, revealed a plan that the authority has put in place to manage waste in areas within Kampala City.
She noted that one of the authority’s biggest victories this year has been securing a 230-hectare site in Buyala, Mpigi, for a modern Integrated Waste Management and Resource Recovery Facility.
“This came as a direct response to the challenge at Kiteezi landfill, which has long outlived its usefulness. We have started decommissioning Kiteezi, flattening garbage heaps with USD 1 million grant received from the government of Japan through UN Habitat to mitigate immediate high risk at the Landfill. This intervention shall consider 7 acres of the 39 where we intend to manage gas emission, steep slopes, leachate and improve drainage. This is ahead of a bigger process we are undertaking to source a contractor who can remediate and repurpose the remaining part of the Kiteezi land fill,” she says.
The ED added that Buyala will be a game-changer as an integrated waste management hub.
Waste management isn’t only about the final part where garbage rests. Every weekend, we join city residents in community cleanups. These aren’t just symbolic. They’re about changing mindsets, teaching communities how to sort garbage at the source, to recycle it or reuse and reminding us all that a clean city is a shared responsibility which starts with each one of us.
‘We are also implementing a no litter campaign, where we are encouraging everyone to dump garbage in a proper and responsible way. Our enforcement team have also done great work, sensitizing the community and arresting those who dump garbage irresponsibly. And on this I want to call upon the media to support us and sensitize the masses.
‘On responsible handling of waste, city dwellers are required to put waste in a litter bin or keep it until you find one. City cleaners have been contracted under the reservation scheme arrangement providing work for the vulnerable, a total of 4,032 vulnerable residents organized under SACCOs (Community SACCO and Seven Hills) drawn from the five division of Kampala were contracted under a reservation scheme to clean the city. By the end of Financial Year 2024/25 their payment was all up to date. With resources available, we commit to this timely payment and ensure our city is clean.
Hajat continued that:
“On August 10, 2024, Kiteezi garbage slide caused significant loss, displacing 142 households. Under the stewardship of the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), KCCA has since led a multi-agency response to compensate and rehabilitate affected persons.
‘So far; the 18 Properties of the Households Affected during emergency excavation have been compensated. The 34 Households that were submerged have had an approved Valuation of UGX 2.14 billion as at 22nd April 2025, the process of having them compensated is under way. The 70 Flood-affected households have had Structural integrity analysis completed as at 30th July 2025 and are awaiting valuation. The 8 Undeveloped land parcels affected, identified by Chief Government Valuer (CGV), to be included in next valuation,” Hajat Sharifah Buzeki revealed.
Regarding making Kampala Greener and Healthier, Hajat Sharifah Buzeki stated:” Climate change is real, and Kampala must adapt. In June, we launched the Urban Forest Management Plan (2023–2029), committing to expand tree cover and protect green spaces.
‘We have at least 8500 trees across the city, in school, public areas, along the road and with our partner MTN we planted 100 trees during the MTN partnership event at Kabalagala youth center, and we continue to beautify roads in the Capital City. Please visit; Nile Avenue, Lugogo Bypass/Kira Road, Jinja road towards Nakawa among others.
‘Improved and rehabilitated green spaces, like Constitutional Square, Mutesa II monuments Katwe median, Kampala road, Nile
Avenue, Jinja road, Yusuf Lule road. Enforcement on those misusing green spaces is ongoing—some offenders have been assigned community service. In the coming year, air quality monitoring, expand green corridors, and plant thousands of trees—working with schools, faith institutions, and private sector partners.
Concerning civic responsibility during election period , Hajat Sharifah Buzeki said that:” As we get into the National and Local Government election period, we call upon the public to keep calm and participate responsibly.
‘Let us protect City infrastructure and avoid politicking in public work & service delivery spaces like markets, taxi parks, schools, health facilities among others. We have issued guidance on placement of election campaign tools and our advice is that they should be followed,” Hajat Sharifah Buzeki cautioned politicians.’
On the challenges the authority faces Hajat Sharifah Buzeki admitted that they still face challenges and explained that:
“We’ve come far, but we’re not there yet. Funding remains our biggest hurdle. We still need funding for a garbage trucks for each of the 100 parishes to manage waste effectively.
‘Encroachment on wetlands and inappropriate waste dumping continues to block natural water flow and increases flood risk. We commit to work with sister institutions like Ministry of Water & Environment, NEMA as well as stronger community involvement and enforcement.
‘Our ambulance fleet is too small for our city’s population. Only 12 ambulances are operational—some are getting old. We need atleast 10 new ambulances.
‘But I want to be clear. We will not slow down. We will overcome these hurdles through public-private partnerships, smarter planning, resident engagement, and most importantly, a collective commitment to build the Kampala we all deserve, a livable City,” Hajat Sharifah Buzeki expressed optimism.
