Muntu says all cities to get waste recycling plants once elected president

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2026 General Election presidential candidate Maj. Gen. (rtd) Gregory Mugisha Muntu has promised to establish waste recycling plants in all Ugandan cities, aiming to tackle the country's mounting waste management crisis.

Uganda's major cities include the capital Kampala, Gulu, Mbarara, Jinja, Arua, Mbale, Fort Portal, Lira, Soroti, Hoima and Masaka, with several other towns pushing for city status, acting as important economic, cultural and administrative hubs across different regions.

Speaking to voters at Te Atat village, Te Dam Barogole ward, Lira City West division in Lira city, Muntu, who is the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) party flag-bearer, promised to establish waste recycling plants in all Ugandan cities to address the country's growing waste management challenges and promote environmental sustainability.

“Uganda generates metric tonnes of waste daily, with only a fraction being properly managed. Kampala struggles with waste collection, with an estimated 2,000 tonnes generated daily, exceeding the city's management capacity,” he said.

The lack of adequate waste management infrastructure has led to environmental pollution, health risks and aesthetic concerns. When elected president, I will establish recycling plants to manage the risk of garbage collection to have a clean country like other nations, Muntu said.

The ex-army commander's proposal involves investing in modern recycling facilities, employing advanced technologies and promoting community participation. The initiative aligns with Uganda's National Development Plan IV, aiming to enhance environmental sustainability and improve waste management services.

“We will establish recycling plants in all cities, creating jobs and reducing pollution. By working on that, we expect to improve public health, conserve natural resources and mitigate climate change impacts,” Muntu added.

“We're committed to making Uganda a model for waste management in Africa,” he said.

Special fund for market traders   

Muntu also announced plans to establish a special fund to support market traders, with a focus on employing women and youth. Muntu's proposal aims to empower marginalised groups and boost economic growth.

According to Muntu, the fund will provide affordable loans and training to market traders, promoting entrepreneurship and job creation. Muntu emphasised the importance of inclusivity, stating,

“We will prioritise women and youth, who are often left behind in economic opportunities. There is no way small-scale industries, women and youth in markets can fight poverty when they are still accessing working and starting capital at the commercial banks’ interest rates, hovering around 16-20% for unsecured loans,” Muntu said.

We shall support the growth of agro-businesses with a fund that is easily accessible on a standard interest rate standing at 12% annually, he promised.

Uganda's market sector employs millions, but traders face challenges, including limited access to finance and infrastructure constraints.

“We will create a fund that works for market traders, empowering them to thrive," Muntu said. The proposal has been welcomed by traders, who hope for improved livelihoods and economic stability.

Muntu plans to create jobs for the youth and the majority of women who make up 51% of the population in the country. In Uganda's 2024 National Population and Housing Census, the female population was reported as 23,591,128, making up 51% of the total 45.9 million people, slightly outnumbering males and continuing a trend of female majority in the country.