Availability and Accessibility of Waste Management Infrastructure for Promoting Sustainable Waste Disposal Practices in Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality. A cross-sectional study.  

Authors

  • Syson Ainembabazi School of Graduate Studies, Research and Innovations, Bishop Stuart University Author
  • Ass. Prof. Sylvester Katuromunda School of Graduate Studies, Research and Innovations, Bishop Stuart University Author
  • Mr. Benard Mugisha School of Graduate Studies, Research and Innovations, Bishop Stuart University Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.64792/4hctaz49

Keywords:

Waste management infrastructure, accessibility, sustainable waste disposal, Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality

Abstract

Background

Effective household waste disposal depends on the availability and accessibility of waste management infrastructure. This study examined the availability and accessibility of waste management infrastructure for promoting sustainable waste disposal practices in the municipality.

Methodology

A descriptive mixed-methods design was used. Multistage sampling selected the division, parishes and villages, and simple random sampling selected 222 town dwellers. Purposive sampling selected NEMA officers, environmental officers and local leaders as key informants. Data were collected using questionnaires and interview guides. Quantitative data were analysed in SPSS version 28 using frequencies, percentages, cross-tabulations and means, while qualitative data were analysed thematically.

Results

Most respondents were female (62.6%), aged above 35 years (70.7%), married (70.7%), traders or shop owners (89.6%) and tenants (92.8%). Nearly all (99.1%) reported that collection points were easily accessible, mainly because of proximity to home (97.7%). However, 97.3% reported that public bins were insufficient, resulting in overflowing waste and littering (96.4%), bad odours (82.4%) and risk of injury from sharp waste (74.8%). Although 99.5% knew the collection schedule, the most frequently cited municipal support gaps were insufficient communal bins (95.9%) and irregular or absent collection (93.7%).

Conclusion

Waste collection points are physically accessible, but the adequacy, maintenance, reliability and separation capacity of facilities remain major shortcomings that constrain sustainable waste disposal.

Recommendations

The municipality should increase and strategically distribute public bins, ensure regular emptying, cleaning and maintenance, follow reliable collection schedules, and provide clearly labelled containers for separate waste types.

Author Biographies

  • Syson Ainembabazi, School of Graduate Studies, Research and Innovations, Bishop Stuart University

    is a student of degree of master of science in climate change and food security at School of Graduate Studies, Research and Innovations, Bishop Stuart University

  • Ass. Prof. Sylvester Katuromunda, School of Graduate Studies, Research and Innovations, Bishop Stuart University

    is a research supervisor school of graduate Studies, Research and Innovations, Bishop Stuart University.

  • Mr. Benard Mugisha, School of Graduate Studies, Research and Innovations, Bishop Stuart University

    is a research supervisor at school of graduate Studies, Research and Innovations, Bishop Stuart University

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Published

2026-10-06

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 4 (2026): October 2026 Issue

Section

Environmental and Agricultural Sciences

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Copyright (c) 2026 Syson Ainembabazi, Ass. Prof. Katuromunda Sylvester, Mr. Benard Mugisha (Author)

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How to Cite

Availability and Accessibility of Waste Management Infrastructure for Promoting Sustainable Waste Disposal Practices in Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality. A cross-sectional study.  . (2026). East African Journal of Research and Innovation, 2(4), 13. https://doi.org/10.64792/4hctaz49