STRATEGIES, CHALLENGES AND RECOMMENDATIONS of PROMOTING COMMUNITY PARTICIPATORY APPROACH TO SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

Abstract

: The paper assesses the factors constraining community participation in solid waste management and provides a way for enhancing participatory management of solid waste. The paper leverage on findings from empirical data of key stakeholders in solid waste management in Lwengo Town Council, Uganda. Methodologically, the study adopted a case study design with a mic of qualitative and quantitative data. The analysis first utilized descriptive statistics to describe the public participation practices as well as solid waste management. Qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis. Findings indicated that community mobilization, sensitization and information dissemination were inadequately or inappropriately done. The community members lacked a sense of responsibility for waste management among community members and lacked clarity on the roles and responsibilities. The town council staff lacked skills for effective mobilization, sensitization and information dissemination. The town council had limited funding among other challenges. The study recommends management and leadership of urban authorities strengthen awareness and knowledge about solid waste management through intensive mobilization, sensitization and information dissemination to the communities. In addition, the community should be trained on sustainable management of solid waste management strategies such as recycling waste for use to pull interest of the community in waste management due to associated economic gains.