Political economy of the integration of WASH and solid waste Nexus in Urban Uganda

An integrated approach to service delivery in water, sanitation, and solid waste management (SWM) represents a paradigm shift from traditional isolated systems; it is more holistic and flexible, potentially optimising climate resilience and addressing public health challenges. This research aims to explore the political economy factors that facilitate an integrated approach to water, sanitation and SWM in urban Uganda. The secondary objective is to assess policy responsiveness, overlaps, and gaps in addressing climate change impacts across the three subsectors. The study employs a qualitative research design, incorporating key informant interviews ( N = 30), literature reviews, and analysis of policy documents. This study finds that systems remain siloed for several reasons, particularly unclear and often non-legal provisions governing sectoral integration, poor infrastructure, uncoordinated planning, overlapping mandates, limited social cohesion, limited financing, and a tendency toward corruption. These issues render integration almost non-existent in urban Uganda, despite some legal provisions that provide for it. The study suggests a strategic, coherent review of the legal framework and the impact assessments of national laws, emphasising meaningful cooperation while prioritising residents’ needs. The study recommends a market-based system, with the potential to generate income to co-finance and maintain a complex yet efficient integrated system. Additionally, a market-based approach can pool domestic resources to counterbalance international financial threats. Incremental capacity building through training for decision-makers and scientists is recommended to facilitate the integrated administration, operation, and maintenance of WASH-SWM services. Such an approach has significant potential for further positive impacts, including improved public health and climate resilience.