Household solid waste management practices and associated factors in southwestern Uganda

Background Solid waste management remains a major challenge in developing regions due to rapid urbanization, inadequate infrastructure, and irregular waste collection, which reduces incentives for waste sorting. The study assessed solid waste management practices and the associated factors among households in Isingiro Town Council, Isingiro District, Uganda. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in July 2024 in Isingiro Town Council, southwestern Uganda. Data was collected from 429 households using a structured questionnaire and an observational checklist. Data was entered, cleaned, and coded in MS Excel before analysis in Stata version 17. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariable analyses were performed at 95% confidence interval. Results The study included 429 participants, with most households generating organic waste (49.2%), followed by plastics (37.7%) and paper (8.7%). Improper disposal methods, such as burning (53.0%) and open dumping at 30.6%, were profiled. In terms of associated factors, occupation, plot size, proximity to disposal sites, and the presence of a household helper at home significantly influenced waste management practices. Households that engaged in home-based commercial activities were more likely to exhibit poor disposal practices (aOR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.1–2.9; p value = 0.014), while those on medium-sized plots demonstrated better practices (aOR = 0.5, 95% CI: 0.3–0.97; p value = 0.041). Conclusion The study revealed poor solid waste management practices within Isingiro Town Council, with organic waste and plastics constituting most of the household waste. Socio-demographic factors such as occupation, land size, and household supervision play a significant role in shaping waste disposal behaviors. Effective waste management strategies should consider not only accessibility but also the capacity of households to manage waste based on their economic activities and living conditions.