Assessment of the Adoption of Solid Waste Management Measures in Sembabule Town Council, Sembabule District.

Abstract

MUKASA SAMUEL (2011-M092-30004) Assessment of the Adoption of Solid Waste Management Measures in Sembabule Town Council, Sembabule District. This study focused on assessing the adoption of solid waste management measures in Sembabule Town Council, Sembabule district. The study was guided by three objectives which are, to find out the extent to which solid waste management measures have been adopted in Sembabule Town Council; to examine the challenges encountered in the adoption of solid waste management measures in Sembabule Town Council and; to find out appropriate strategies that can address the challenges encountered in the adoption of solid waste management measures in Sembabule Town Council. The researcher reviewed literature related to the topic of study and discussed it as put forward by the various scholars. The literature was reviewed in three themes stemming from the three (3) specific objectives of the study. The literature provided a critique and identified gaps in literature related to adoption of solid waste management measures, challenges in adoption of solid waste management measures and strategies that promote adoption of solid waste management measures. The research was conducted using a case study design through qualitative and quantitative approaches. The research design was used because it brought about a deeper insight and better understanding of adoption of solid waste management in Sembabule Town Council. Data were got through key informant interviews and individual questionnaires among 40 respondents that included key respondents (Sembabule Town Council staff, and Local Council III Councillors) and local residents. The sampling techniques used included; purposive sampling for key informants and random sampling for local residents. Findings indicated that some effort has been made by the town council and residents of Sembabule town council in the adoption of solid waste management measures, especially, in solid waste collection and disposal. However, there are gaps that need to be addressed which include, among others, few collection sites, lack of a gazetted disposal site, ignorance among residents on other forms of solid waste management such as sorting, recycling and re-use, inadequate enforcement of the national laws on solid waste management, lack of by-laws and sensitisation. The study recommends that Sembabule Town council should put in place strategies to address the gaps which include: establishing demonstrations on the use of bio degradable solid waste as manure and recycling of solid waste, conducting community sensitisation on solid waste management and dangers of poor solid waste management, formulating and enforcing by- laws and existing laws, increasing funding on solid waste management in the town council, and procuring a gazetted solid waste disposal site/landfill. Key Words: Adoption, Solid Waste, Management Measures, Sembabule District.