Mukono’s Shs4.5bn Landfill Expansion Runs Into Land and Compensation Challenges

Mukono plans a major expansion of the Katikolo waste facility, but land acquisition, compensation and community concerns remain key implementation risks.

News: Mukono Municipality is expanding the Katikolo waste disposal site into a larger waste-management facility, with about Shs4.5 billion committed to land acquisition and preparation. The proposed development includes a material-recovery facility and faecal-sludge treatment infrastructure, but unresolved compensation and land acquisition issues continue to affect implementation.

Unplanned Solid Waste Disposal

Context: The project gained greater urgency after the 2024 Kiteezi landfill disaster exposed the vulnerability of Greater Kampala’s waste-disposal system. Mukono says most of the required land has been secured, although more than Shs1.1 billion may still be required for outstanding parcels and compensation claims. Some residents dispute valuations or say payments remain incomplete.

Stakeholder Implications: Katikolo illustrates how quickly an infrastructure solution can become a land-management problem. Waste infrastructure requires adequate buffer land, treatment facilities, access and long-term operating space; resolving acquisition and compensation before construction advances will be critical to both project delivery and community acceptance.