The Minister for Local Government, Raphael Magezi, has emphasized the vital role of public participation in ensuring the success of Uganda’s forthcoming National Waste Management Policy 2025, calling on every citizen to take responsibility for their role in managing waste sustainably.

Speaking during an inter-ministerial consultative meeting held in Entebbe on August 7, 2025, Minister Magezi emphasized that the government’s efforts alone will not solve the country’s growing waste management crisis.. The meeting was held to review and approve the draft policy before it is officially presented to Cabinet.

“We must recognize that while government and local authorities have essential roles, the lasting solution to Uganda’s waste crisis depends heavily on the active participation of every citizen,” Magezi said.

The drafted National Waste Management Policy is a direct response to urgent Cabinet directives issued following the Kiteezi landfill disaster, which exposed deep-seated gaps in Uganda’s waste infrastructure, enforcement, and institutional coordination.

Magezi urged the public to adopt environmentally responsible behaviors such as proper waste separation at the household level, minimizing littering, and embracing recycling practices. He emphasized that sustainable change can only be achieved through collective action and individual accountability.

Ben Kumumanya, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government, confirmed that the policy is nearing completion. He noted that the proposed framework will seek to transform waste into a resource while tackling long-standing challenges such as weak enforcement, inadequate infrastructure, fragmented mandates among agencies, and limited financing.

“This policy offers a strategic pathway to redefine waste management in Uganda by promoting circular economy principles and clarifying institutional roles,” Kumumanya stated.

The consultative meeting brought together key stakeholders from government ministries, civil society, the private sector, and development partners to build consensus on the policy’s direction and implementation roadmap.

With strong government commitment and broad-based public engagement, Uganda is following a path toward a cleaner, more sustainable future in waste management.