Mukono’s Garbage ‘Gift’ — A New Perspective

Is there a planned demonstration over the so-called “garbage problem” in Katikolo village? Let me offer an alternative approach.

A Lesson from the Berlin Wall

Let’s revisit a story from the Cold War era, when Germany was divided into East and West. One day, East Germany, struggling economically, dumped their garbage over the Berlin Wall into West Germany, expecting to provoke a negative response.

But what did the West Germans do? Instead of retaliating, they sorted the garbage, used the biodegradable materials to create fertilizer, and grew beautiful flowers. When the flowers blossomed, they sent them back over the Wall with a note saying: “Everyone gives what they have. You cannot give what you don’t have.” East Germany threw garbage; West Germany returned flowers.

This story mirrors what we are experiencing here in Mukono Municipality today. Just like the West Germans, we have a choice: react angrily to the garbage problem or transform it into something positive.

Mukono’s Waste Management Challenges

Mukono struggles with waste management issues not only in the town center but also in surrounding areas like Nakifuma, Kalagi, Namataba, and Katosi. Currently, over 60% of waste in Mukono is not properly collected or managed, leading to illegal dumping and environmental degradation. In Katikolo alone, residents report that one in three households experiences uncollected waste piling up each week.

I understand the frustration. But we must change how we view this challenge. We need to stop seeing garbage merely as a problem and instead recognize it as a potential resource.

A Call for Leadership and Vision

I hear there are some politicians planning to hold protests. But leadership isn’t about pointing fingers—it’s about finding solutions. The garbage issue has long been a discussion point, yet little has changed. What if we flipped the narrative? Why not see garbage as an opportunity for growth and innovation?

As a leader, instead of leading protests, I would advocate for sustainable, long-term solutions, including the following initiatives:

Solutions for Katikolo’s Garbage Challenges

1. Establish a Community Waste Management Cooperative
Form a cooperative to oversee waste management, recycling, and community ownership of the problem. Residents can explore revenue-generating activities like sorting, recycling, and composting. Income can be earned through selling recyclable materials such as plastics and metals. For example, turning just 20% of Mukono’s plastic waste into recycled products could generate UGX 500 million annually for the local economy.

2. Implement a Community Recycling and Upcycling Initiative
Conduct training sessions on how to recycle and upcycle waste into marketable products, such as organic manure, crafts, or construction materials. Organic waste can be converted into biogas or high-quality compost for local farmers, while plastic bottles can be used in construction projects or for art pieces. This would reduce the 40 tons of organic waste produced daily that currently end up in our environment.

3. Set Up a Community Waste-to-Energy Project
Explore the feasibility of a small-scale waste-to-energy plant to convert biodegradable waste into biogas, reducing landfill waste while providing a renewable energy source. This would also reduce the 70% of waste currently ending up in Mukono’s dumpsites, turning it into usable energy.

4. Promote Waste Segregation at the Source
Educate households on separating organic, recyclable, and hazardous waste, making waste management easier and reducing the environmental impact. With proper waste segregation, we can reduce up to 50% of garbage destined for dumpsites, extending their lifespan and making recycling more efficient.

5. Create Community Cleanup Programs and Eco-Friendly Campaigns

Organize regular cleanup exercises involving residents, schools, and local leaders to improve the neighborhood. Complement these efforts with educational campaigns to promote responsible waste disposal habits. Turning former dumping sites into green spaces or small parks can transform the environment into a safer, more attractive place.

Turning Problems into Opportunities

By implementing these strategies, we can transform Katikolo’s waste problem into a source of growth and employment:

Establish Waste-Based Small Businesses: Encourage ventures like producing eco-bricks, paving materials, or crafts from upcycled waste. For instance, an eco-brick enterprise could convert over 10,000 plastic bottles monthly into construction materials.

Introduce a Plastic Buyback Program: Partner with companies to create buyback programs for plastic waste, offering incentives for collected plastics. This would not only reduce plastic pollution but also generate income for low-income families.

Create Employment through Waste Management: Launch a community-run waste collection service, employing local youth to handle garbage collection and transportation. This approach could replace the controversial De Bin Kampala, creating up to 50 new jobs for local youth.

The Role of Local Government and Stakeholders

Addressing the garbage challenge in Katikolo requires collaboration:

Mukono Municipality Council: Provide technical support, facilitate partnerships, and offer incentives for businesses adopting environmentally friendly practices.

Private Sector: Fund, equip, and offer technical expertise for advanced waste processing.

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): Run training programs and educational resources to empower the community.

A New Perspective

Instead of viewing waste as a burden, let us see it as a resource. By implementing these strategies, the community can turn this issue into an opportunity for growth, employment, and sustainability.

Together, we can make Katikolo not just cleaner, but also greener and more prosperous.

The writer is a journalist, former councillor at Mukono Municipal Council, and currently the Deputy Resident District Commissioner for Mukono.