Iganga to Turn Garbage into Fertilisers, Cooking Fuel

(The Observer) Choked with swelling garbage piles, Iganga Municipal Council has invited Danish bio-engineering firm Transform, here. The company will help to convert the overflowing garbage into biofertilisers.

Iganga is an old town, dating back to the 1890s when the protectorate district administrators set up its headquarters at a place called Bukoyo. This is three kilometres from the present-day municipal council with the first Asian setting up a shop along present-day Balita Lane.

Located in eastern Uganda along the Trans African Highway, 120km from Kampala, Iganga has a population of 54,000 people. Like other urban centres, it is a bustling town; with many challenges as its activities vary from agriculture, commercial, education and medical services.

“Worth noting is that all the activities end up in waste generation which the council must handle so as to create a clean and healthy environment,” observes Iganga deputy mayor Enock Ngazula.

Solid waste generated daily is between nine and 12 tonnes, he says. And the waste is projected to hit between 45 and 60 tonnes per day once the council borders are expanded.

Currently, the solid waste is classified as 80% bio-degradable refuse, which is dumped in a temporary dumping site. But there has been growing discontent among residents on how authorities are handling the garbage.

The town’s leadership blames a lack of funding for the filth in the town. They point out how the only functioning refuse truck is not able to collect all the generated garbage. With Transform, working through its subsidiary firm, Biofertiliser Africa, the plan is to convert part of the garbage into briquettes for cooking and firing factories. READ MORE