Jospong Group partners Ugandan gov’t to tackle waste management

The Ugandan government has teamed up with Ghana’s Jospong Group of Companies (JGC) to decommission the 39-acre Kiteezi Landfill in Wakiso District, near Kampala. This site will be transformed into an ecological recreational facility.

JGC plans to invest in integrated composting and recycling systems, as well as transfer stations, to enhance waste treatment and disposal in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area. This initiative aims to produce organic compost for agricultural use while recovering plastics for a new bin manufacturing facility.

The project is expected to generate over 2,000 direct jobs for Ugandans. It follows a tragic waste slide on August 10, 2024, which resulted in 23 deaths and extensive property damage.

With significant experience in Africa and Asia, Jospong Group is well-equipped for this project. As a diversified holdings company with numerous subsidiaries, they bring the expertise necessary for effective waste management and sustainability.

The recent project handover ceremony featured notable attendees, including Minister for Kampala Joseph Kyofatogabye and Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, Executive Chairman of JGC. The Minister stated that the cabinet has approved the partnership, emphasizing its importance in addressing Uganda’s waste management challenges and promoting eco-friendly practices. He noted the intention to reduce the landfill’s height, stabilize slopes, and cap the site, transforming the Kiteezi community.

Mr. Kyofatogabye also assured residents within 200 meters of the site will receive government compensation, expressing urgency about the ongoing waste issues.

Dr. Agyepong expressed optimism about the project, citing JGC’s 25 years of expertise in waste management, including 16 plants in Ghana and 38 facilities focused on medical waste. He shared that he has visited Uganda to study its waste management practices and that his company is committed to recovering compost for the Ugandan government. He highlighted Uganda’s potential to produce organic fertilizers from its municipal solid waste, which has a high organic content of around 80%.