1. E Waste Management – Uganda’s Journey
Forum on Environmentally Sound Management of E-waste in Latin America
Montevideo, Uruguay: 12 March, 2014
Smart Sustainable Cities
E Waste Management – Uganda’s Journey
Dickson Kwesiga
Uganda Communications Commission

2. Current Status The E-Waste Challenge
Knowledge, Attitudes & Perceptions
Policy and Legal Framework
Current Practices
Regulation at entry points
Regional Collaboration
E-Waste Challenge – Backlog, Phone Subscriber base growing, accurate information, economic viability of recycling,
Knowledge, Attitudes, Perceptions – Informal Sector, Awareness, Sentimental attachments
Policy & Legal Framework – Policy Existing, Regulations, Standards & Guidelines missing from point of entry to end of life
Current Practices – Gap in legislative structure, low awareness, high demand for second hand/used EEE, selling to individual collectors has led to the growth of an informal sector: Limited investments in infrastructure:
Regulation at entry points – PVoC to standards for various EEEs regulated, INTERTEK

3. Current Practices

4. Existing Facilities Various Informal Recyclers
Uganda Cleaner Production Center
East African Compliant Recycling Facility (Nairobi)
WEEE Center (Nairobi, Kenya)
The E-waste Solutions Alliance for Africa (UK) – Pilot Project
UCPC - UNIDO and Microsoft

5. Subscriber Trends

6. Key Challenges in Uganda
Rapidly increasing e-waste volumes
Limited studies about quantities of e-waste
Low level of awareness (& poor perceptions) among consumers
E-waste workers have little or no knowledge of toxins in e-waste

7. Policy Strategies Establishment of E-waste Management Infrastructure
Awareness and Education
Legal Framework
Human Resource Development
Resource Mobilization
E-Waste Fund

8. Investments in Infrastructure
Carry out ongoing e-waste surveys and assessment of mass flows to inform e-waste management interventions
To establish and maintain a data base for imported and exported EEE
Initiate and implement pilot projects, for collection, recycling and treatment of e-waste
Facilitate formation of e-waste collection schemes through formalization, licensing & setting targets for each scheme
Provide training for e-waste scheme operators
Promote take- back systems with incentives for consumers
Promote EEE leasing for bulk consumers

9. Investments in Infrastructure
Set up national modern dismantling and recovery facility in partnership with the private sector
Mainstream training in e-waste recovery and dismantling skills in technical institutions curriculum
Explore options for disposal of hazardous e-waste components, through treatment or sale to competent firms
Engage EEE producers and original equipment manufacturers (OEM) in strategic partnerships, including buy back systems, extended producer responsibility and setting up recovery and dismantling facilities.
Participate in regional and international fora on best e-waste management practices

10. Ongoing Policy Implementation
Feasibility study to establish volumes of E-waste
An e-waste management strategy was drafted
Plans are underway for the establishment of a manual E-waste dismantling plant
In collaboration with the E-waste Solutions Alliance for Africa UK, a pilot is underway for establishment of an E-waste collection system

11. Thank You
DICKSON KWESIGA