Browsing by Author "Komakech, Allan J."

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Assessment of Municipal Organic Solid Waste, as a Potential Feedstock for Briquette Production in Kampala, Uganda
    (Uganda. Journal of Sustainable Bioenergy Systems, 2020) Abondio, Richard B.; Komakech, Allan J.; Kambugu, Robert K.; Kiggundu, Nicholas; Wanyama, Joshua; Zziwa, Ahamada; Kyamanywa, Samuel
    The current shortage of energy resources coupled with environmental degradation problems resulting from deforestation in Uganda has contributed to increased demand for renewable energy resources including municipal organic solid waste and agricultural residues. However, organic waste from Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) may contain contaminants that are harmful to public health and the environment. This study determined the heavy metal concentration in MSW in Kampala City, Uganda. Also, the physicochemical properties of briquettes produced from the MSW were compared with charcoal. The waste samples were collected from residential, institutional and market areas over a period of two weeks. They were then analyzed for the presence of heavy metals. Briquettes were made from the bio-waste and were subjected to calorific and proximate analysis. Results indicated that the mean concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, and Pb were 1.25 mg/kg, 2.04 mg/kg, 38.2 mg/kg, 3.97 mg/kg and 1.99 mg/kg respectively while Hg was not detected. The calorific values of briquettes ranged from 8.9 to 15.3 MJ/kg and were lower than those of charcoal. Heavy metal concentrations in bio-waste collected were below the permissible acceptable limits. These findings indicate that the sampled MSW does not pose a health hazard arising from the presence of such heavy metals and therefore could be a safe source of renewable energy
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Characterization of municipal waste in Kampala, Uganda
    (Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, 2014) Komakech, Allan J.; Banadda, Noble E.; Kinobe, Joel R.; Kasisira, Levi; Sundberg, Cecilia; Gebresenbet, Girma; Vinnerås, Björn
    In Kampala, Uganda, about 28,000 tons of waste is collected and delivered to a landfill every month. Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) records show that this represents approximately 40% of the waste generated in the city. The remaining uncollected waste is normally dumped in unauthorized sites, causing health and environmental problems. However, the organic fraction of domestic waste can provide an opportunity to improve livelihoods and incomes through fertilizer and energy production. This study characterized the municipal waste generated in Kampala and delivered to Kiteezi landfill between July 2011 and June 2012, that is, covering the dry and wet months. On each sampling day, waste was randomly selected from five trucks, sorted and weighed into different physical fractions. Samples of the organic waste from each truck were analyzed for total solids, major nutrients, and energy content. During the wet months, the waste consisted of 88.5% organics, 3.8% soft plastics, 2.8% hard plastics, 2.2% paper, 0.9% glass, 0.7% textiles and leather, 0.2% metals, and 1.0% others. During the dry months, the waste consisted of 94.8% organics, 2.4% soft plastics, 1.0% hard plastics, 0.7% papers, 0.3% glass, 0.3% textile and leather, 0.1% metals, and 0.3% others. The organic waste on average had a moisture content of 71.1% and contained 1.89% nitrogen, 0.27% phosphorus, and 1.95% potassium. The waste had an average gross energy content of 17.3 MJ/kg. It was concluded that the organic waste generated can be a suitable source of some plant nutrients that are useful especially in urban agriculture.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    A critical analysis of physiochemical properties influencing pit latrine emptying and feacal sludge disposal in Kampala Slums, Uganda
    (African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 2016) Zziwa, Ahamada; Nabulime, Maureen N.; Kiggundu, Nicholas; Kambugu, Robert; Katimbo, Abia; Komakech, Allan J.
    Inadequate information on physiochemical properties of faecal sludge leads to inappropriate design of pit emptying devices and poor faecal sludge disposal contributing to environmental pollution. This study undertook a critical analysis of physiochemical properties of feacal sludge that influence design and performance of pit emptying devices and faecal sludge disposal for improved faecal sludge management in urban slums. The physiochemical properties determined were; Moisture content (MC), ash content (AC), total solids (TS), volatile solids (VS), nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), potassium (K) and pH. Samples were collected from 55 unlined pits at depths of 0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 m from pit surface. The unlined pits in this study were purposively selected from slums in Kampala. A sample of 300 g was sucked from each depth using a manual sampling tool and emptied into a plastic container. The container was then wrapped in a black plastic bag and transported in cooler boxes to the lab for analysis. The properties were subjected to Principal Component Analysis to isolate the critical parameters that affect pit emptying and faecal sludge disposal. The mean results were: MC of 86 ± 8.37%; TS of 0.14 ± 0.08 g/g wet sample; VS of 0.73 ± 0.32 g/g dry sample; pH of 8.0 ± 1.5; AC of 0.35± 0.18 g/g dry sample; TN of 3.5 ± 0.08%; K of 2.2± 0.13% and P of 1.4± 0.05%. It was concluded that physiochemical properties in Ugandan pits are comparable to those of global pits except for the acidic conditions at top surface in some pits, and higher moisture content in pits due to the high water table. PCA results showed that moisture content and total solids affected pit emptying techniques while fractional content of N, P and pH affect most choice of faecal sludge disposal technique.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Evaluation of the Performance of Different Organic Fertilizers on Maize Yield: A Case Study of Kampala, Uganda
    (Uganda. Journal of Agricultural Science, 2015) Komakech, Allan J.; Zurbrügg, Christian; Semakula, Denis; Kiggundu, Nicholas; Vinnerås, Björn
    In Kampala city about 60% of animal manure generated is discarded leading to health and environmental challenges. However about 30% of this manure is used as fertilizer mainly in the form of stored animal manure. The manure could also be vermicomposted or anaerobically digestated and used in crop production. However, it has not yet been clearly established which of these options would be most beneficial in producing better crop yields when applied to soils in Kampala. This study evaluated the performance of different organic fertilizers namely vermicompost, digestate and stored cattle manure and unfertilized control on growth and yield of maize (Zea mays spp). The experiment was carried out at Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute Kabanyolo for two seasons (October 2013 to February 2014 and March to June 2014). No significant difference (P > 0.05) in the different organic fertilizers was noted in both the growth and yield of maize in each season. However a significant difference (P < 0.05) in both crop growth and yield was noted when the organic fertilizers were compared with the control. In addition when the different seasons were compared, the growth and yield of maize in season two was generally found to be better (P > 0.05) than that of season one. The interviews conducted with farmer groups showed they generally preferred using stored manure and vermicompost. It can thus be concluded that these fertilizers are best for Kampala thus should be promoted by the municipal authorities to address the rampant poor disposal of manure in Kampala.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Mapping Out The Solid Waste Generation And Collection Models: The Case Of Kampala City
    (Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, 2015) Kinobe, Joel R.; Niwagaba, Charles B.; Gebresenbet, Girma; Komakech, Allan J.; Vinnerås, Björn
    This paper presents a mapping of the waste collection systems in Kampala city, using geographical information system (GIS) ArcGIS mapping software. It discusses the existing models of waste collection to the final disposal destinations. It was found that food and yard wastes constitute 92.7% of the waste generated in Kampala. Recyclables and other special wastes constitute only 7.3% of the total waste, mainly because of the increased level of reuse and recycling activities. The generation rate of solid wastes was on average, 582, 169, 105, and 90 tons/day from poor areas, upscale wealthier areas, business centers, and market areas respectively. This tonnage of waste was collected, transported, and disposed of at the city landfill. The study found that in total, residential areas of poor people generate more waste than other categories stated earlier, mainly because of their large populations. In total, there were 133 unofficial temporary storage sites acknowledged by Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) but not formally designated, 59 illegal dump sites, and 35 officially recognized temporary waste storage locations. This paper presents large-scale data that can help with understanding the collection models and their influence on solid waste management in Kampala city, which could be used for similar cities in developing countries.