Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has directed the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) to expedite the handover of the Kiteezi Landfill to Zoomlion Ghana Limited, a subsidiary of the Jospong Group of Companies.

The directive, issued during a meeting at the State House in Entebbe, enables the Ghana-based company, known for its expertise in waste and landfill management, to begin decommissioning work at the landfill site.

Speaking to a delegation from the Jospong Group, led by Executive Chairman Dr Joseph Siaw Agyepong, President Museveni expressed confidence in the Jospong brand and praised its capabilities in waste management, especially in recycling and composting.

He stated that Jospong’s integrated recycling and composting initiatives represent a bold, much-needed approach to Africa’s waste management challenges.

President Museveni also called for African nations to unify in pursuit of self-sufficiency, declaring, “Africa must be a unified force, building its capabilities and not relying on others for its development. Our self-reliance will drive our success.”

The meeting was attended by several key officials from Jospong Group, including Florence Larbi, Chief Operating Officer of Jospong’s Environment and Sanitation (E&S) cluster, Haidar Said, Executive Director of E&S, and Peter Dagadu, Project Lead for Zoomlion Uganda.

Ugandan officials present included Minister for Kampala and Metropolitan Affairs Minsa Kabanda, Minister for Kampala Joseph Kyofatogabye Kabuye, and acting KCCA Executive Director Frank Rusa.

The President’s directive follows reports of delays from KCCA officials over legal concerns regarding the landfill handover.

Earlier in the week, Minister Kabanda urged city authorities to proceed with the site transfer to Jospong, stressing the need to engage the surrounding community and commence operations by March 2024.

Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong expressed gratitude for the President’s support, noting that the partnership “signals Uganda’s commitment to addressing waste management challenges through strategic partnerships with African enterprises.”

The Jospong Group’s involvement is seen as a pivotal step in Uganda’s efforts to modernize its waste infrastructure, given its successful track record in waste management across the continent.

This collaboration reflects a broader Pan-African vision, placing African companies at the forefront of solving the continent’s environmental and developmental challenges, and creating a future where African ingenuity drives sustainable progress.