Abstract

The problem of Solid Waste Management (SWM) has become a major problem in the upper
areas of developing countries. In Uganda, the menace of urban waste has further been
worsened by the increasing population. This study was done to assess the level of knowledge
and practices about SWM within the Kapchorwa Town Council (KTC) Kapchorwa district in
eastern Uganda. To achieve the objectives, a descriptive cross-sectional study was carried
out and waste characteristics, collection, disposal, stakeholder roles, and waste management
responsibilities were analyzed. Results indicate that waste is predominantly biodegradable
(66%) and generated mainly within households, with no proper collection rate disposed of,
crude dumping was the major means of disposal used (72.5%). The council is under capacity
to handle waste management demands and their services are poor or nonexistent which has
led to the use of crude dumping which has risk health. The strategy for solid waste
management is failing because the community members are not cooperative. In conclusion,
waste management practices in KTC are poor and they reflect a gap in knowledge about
effective waste management within KTC, community members should be regularly educated
on the link between improper solid waste management and disease outbreaks and the safe
SWM practices such as reuse and recycling.