Dr. Rose Nakileza Badaza – PI

Florence Nalubega Wanendeya – Co-PI

Urban solid waste management in Uganda faces ongoing challenges, often linked to insufficient infrastructure, weak regulatory enforcement, and low community involvement. Beyond these structural issues, cultural values and ethnic identities play a crucial role in shaping how households generate, handle, and dispose of waste. This study investigates the impact of ethnic identity and cultural norms on household waste management practices in Mbale City, Eastern Uganda, focusing on six key ethnic groups: the Bagisu, Basoga, Bagwere, Itesots, Sabiny, and Karamojong. Employing qualitative approaches, including focus group discussions and in-depth interviews, the research explores community beliefs, gender roles, and traditional taboos related to waste disposal. Results indicate that while burning, open dumping, and pit disposal are widespread, cultural prohibitions concerning items such as placenta, hair, children’s stool, and menstrual waste strongly guide disposal methods. Gender divisions are evident, with women mainly handling waste collection, and men responsible for pit digging and clearing vegetation. Despite cultural variations, informal reuse and recycling, especially of plastics, bottles, and organic materials for agricultural use, are common across all groups.

The study concludes that ethnic identity and cultural norms deeply influence household waste management practices. Therefore, effective policy interventions must incorporate cultural sensitivity, foster community participation, and engage local leadership to establish sustainable waste management systems