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On a global scale, Korea has been among the key proponents of the “Green New Deal”, being the first country in East Asia to commit to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

The deal advocates for targeted policy interventions that address climate change along with achieving other social aims such as job creation and reducing income inequality.

In a renewed commitment to support Uganda’s green growth agenda and climate change response, the Republic of Korea through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) to implement a project aimed at strengthening the capacity for solid waste and faecal sludge management in greater Kampala metropolitan area.

The project worth $2.25m will support GGGI and its partners, including the Ministry of Water and Environment, National Water and Sewerage Cooperation as well as Kampala Capital City Authority and other Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area municipalities, to develop an inclusive and sustainable solid waste and faecal sludge management strategy and implementation plans.

The European Union (EU) is the third partner on this project, as the activities complement and build upon the “Greening Uganda’s Urbanization and Industrialization” program financed by the EU and aligned with the National Development Plan III.

The overall objective is to enhance solid waste and faecal sludge management in the greater Kampala area while increasing access to sustainable services and creating green jobs through the waste-to-resource approach.

The project which will run from 2021 to 2023, in the first of two phases, aims to promote sustainable development and inclusive green growth in Uganda by improving the planning and investment in Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area catalyzing urban green growth transformation.

The focus will be on the development of strategies; implementation plans and technical designs for proposed interventions in selected urban councils. The second phase will then focus on the actual implementation of the proposed solutions that can serve as a model and be replicated in other parts of the country.

According to the draft National Urban Solid Waste Management Policy, the rate of solid waste generation in the GKMA in 2015 was 3,206 tons per day and is expected to increase to 4,739 tons per day by 2030. It is estimated that only 45% of the total waste generated in the GKMA area is being collected and managed properly by KCCA and its partners.

Once completed, this project is expected to benefit at least 100,000 households directly through jobs and the waste collection and treatment facilities that will be established while most of the population in the Kampala Metropolitan area will benefit indirectly from reduced contamination of water, land and wetland resources.

The Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area with a population of approximately 4 million people spread over 970 square km, is home to about 10% of the national population and it contributes almost 31.4% of the overall national GDP and 65% of non-agricultural GDP. This entire population is served by only one licensed solid waste disposal and treatment facility in Kiteezi, which is currently operating beyond capacity.

The KOICA Country Director, Mr Taeyoung Kim, said this project is in line with the Government of Uganda’s strategy to mobilize increased financing and support towards sustainable and inclusive socio-economic development of greater Kampala.

“The major focus will be on strengthening solid waste management and faecal sludge management capacity based on inclusive and decentralized solutions that will enhance sustainability, better living conditions and job creation.” Mr Kim said.

The Republic of Korea is committed to strengthening solid waste and faecal sludge management capacity in both the public and private sector to support the Greater Kampala Development Strategy (GKDS) priorities including job creation, improved livability, improved public health, as well as sustainable development.

In the long run, this intervention will substantively contribute to the achievement of Uganda’s Vision 2040 and its Green Growth Development Strategy, which pursue economic development and socio-economic transformation premised on equity, environmental sustainability, resource efficiency, and inclusiveness.

The Republic of Korea implements its official development aid through the Korea International Cooperation Agency.