Socio-economic dynamics of hazardous waste management; case of Kyenjojo town council, Kyenjojo district.

Abstract

Hazardous waste management is increasingly becoming a big problem in many cities in sub-Sahara Africa of which Uganda is no exception. This is largely attributed to the poor institutional arrangement, lack of capacity and use of poor technology by waste management Authorities in addition to the pool hazardous waste storage and disposal methods by the communities which subject them to health and environmental problems. The study was carried out in Nyantungo, Katoosa. Bucuni and Mpunda in Kyenjojo. The aim was to obtain information off the. methods of storage and disposal of hazardous wastes and also to determine the effects of hazardous wastes on the physical properties of water. This was carried out help improve on the health of both the residents and environment at large and it also helps in guiding sustainable development in the community. The objectives were establishing the major generators and different types of hazardous Wastes they generated. Reasons for disposing and storing of hazardous wastes in the manner they did were also. established and the different types of hazardous wastes affecting water quality Were documented to determine potential health risks. Self-administered questionnaires, personal interviews, observation and focused group discussions were used to obtain information on the different hazardous waste management practices. The gathered information. was coded and edited in SPSS and analysed using histograms and pie charts. Findings indicated that the major generators of hazardous wastes were hospital attendants. ear mechanics and shopkeepers. Hospital attendants and car mechanics to store it in metallic and plastic containers because they were durable while shopkeepers used polythene bags as they were cheap. Residents disposed of hazardous wastes by pouring it in landfills and open air burning.