On 2nd October 2017, Makerere University students convened at the Western Gate to actively participate in the Waste Management Awareness Week aimed at sensitizing the University community on the importance of waste management and keeping the environment clean. 

Organised under a theme, Sustainable Waste Management at Makerere University, the program running from 2nd to 6th October 2017 presents an opportunity to students and staff to take the lead in activities geared towards promoting sustainable waste management as an action to combating climate change. 

The Waste Management Awareness week is a sustainability program that is stipulated in the Makerere University-Bangor University collaborative partnership and focuses on promoting sustainable development at Makerere University. The program also engages the University community in four major aspects of prevention, reduction, reuse and recycling of waste to reduce waste generation at Makerere University.

“We want to reach out the entire university community during this awareness week that is why we have several activities going on. These include carrying out general cleaning, putting waste management stickers on designated places, pictorial presentation of the University Waste Management, exhibition of waste-recycled item and displaying of placards with awareness message. We have developed a social media campaign to reach out to students, staff alumni and the well-wishers of Makerere University,” said Ms Pamela Matovu, the Coordinator of the Sustainability Program at Makerere University in an interview with Makerere University Public Relations Office. 

She applauded students for their active participation and called upon the entire Makerere University fraternity to embrace the campaign and ensure that waste is properly managed in the University.
 
She thanked the Organising Committee, Estates and Works Department, Students Sustainability Action Group (SSAG), the Students’ Guild-Ministry of Estates and Environment (83rdGuild) and Makerere University Waste Management Research Association (MUWMRA) for their tireless efforts to ensure that the five days campaign is a success.

 In a special way Ms Pamela Matovu thanked the Sustainability Lab, Bangor University and Hub Cymru Africa (a Welsh Government international development funded program) for their support that has enabled the successful implementation of the program.

The GRC School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Resources who also doubles as the Minister for Estates and Environment on Makerere University 83rd Guild, Hon. Nankya Esther said that the Waste Management Awareness week is a drive geared towards environment conservation and cleanliness within campus. 

“As a leader I believe environmental conservation is key to the health of the people. We would like to make it a culture at Makerere University since change should start with us. We believe that through proper waste management we are creating a better place to live in,” noted Nankya.

Sustainable Waste Management is an action towards combating climate change. This is in accordance with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 12 of ‘Ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns, focusing on target 5 that states, ‘By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.’

The Waste Awareness Week started on Monday 2nd October 2017 at the Western Gate. From there students headed to Africa Hall where they conducted interviews and photo booth sessions.

On Tuesday 3rd October 2017, the team will be at Mary Stuart and this will be followed by an exhibition on recycling waste on Wednesday 4th October 2017 at the Department of Environment Management. On Thursday 5th October 2017, the team will proceed to Makerere University Eastern Gate and the activity will end on Friday 6th October 2017 with a number of students and stakeholders involved in picking litter as well as ‘Keep Makerere University Clean’ activities. 

Article by: Kanyi Rachael and Apio Marion- Student Volunteers, MAK Public Relations Office