From waste to opportunity: SOWU project delivers Uganda’s first national organic waste management strategy

© NEMA

Launched under the CCAC framework, the SOWU project aimed to support Uganda in addressing a major source of methane emissions – organic waste – by strengthening national data, analytical capacity, and policy planning. Building on earlier engagement initiated in 2024, the project applied an integrated assessment approach to evaluate waste flows, identify cost-effective mitigation measures, and explore opportunities for circular economy solutions such as composting, biogas production, and improved collection systems.

Researchers from the IIASA Energy, Climate, and Environment Program contributed to the development of scenario analyses and modeling tools to assess environmental and socioeconomic impacts of different waste management pathways. This work helped inform a strategy that is both evidence-based and aligned with Uganda’s climate commitments, including efforts to reduce short-lived climate pollutants.

During the closing meeting, project partners presented key outcomes, including methodological advances, stakeholder engagement processes, and lessons learned from implementation. Discussions also focused on next steps to operationalize the Strategy, including financing, institutional coordination, and capacity building.

“The development of this strategy reflects strong collaboration between national and international partners and provides a clear pathway for reducing emissions from organic waste while delivering local environmental and health benefits,” notes Adriana Gomez Sanabria, SOWU project leader and a senior research scholar in the IIASA Pollution Management Research Group.

The Uganda National Strategy for Organic Waste Management provides a comprehensive framework to improve waste collection and treatment, reduce methane emissions, and promote resource recovery. Its handover marks a transition from planning to implementation and sets the stage for continued collaboration to support sustainable waste management in Uganda.

The conclusion of the SOWU project represents an important milestone in advancing sustainable and responsible waste management, demonstrating practical potential for methane mitigation in this sector supporting climate mitigation efforts and highlighting the value of international scientific collaboration in supporting national policy development.