Country Status
In 2022, Uganda generated 41 million tonnes of e-waste, with only 0,2 of these million tonnes having been documented as formally collected and recycled. The continued transformation into a digitally enabled society that is taking place under the Digital Uganda Vision (DUV) will lead to an increase in the use of electrical and electronic equipment, which at the end of their useful life, will eventually become e-waste. Unplanned e-waste management creates challenges for the environment, economy, and society. Uganda has developed several legal instruments for e-waste management, which refer in varying levels of detail to the environmental policy principle of extended producer responsibility (EPR). However, challenges remain when it comes to regulating and implementing this policy principle in e-waste management.
- E-waste Generated (million kg): 41
- E-waste Generated (kg per capita): 0,9
- E-waste Documented as Formally Collected and Recycled: 0,2
- E-waste Policy, Legislation or Regulation: Yes
- EPR on e-waste: No
- Collection target in place: No
- Recycling target in place: No
ITU and E-waste in Uganda
Under the joint Government of Uganda and ITU project, supported by the South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund (SSCAF)/Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund (GDF), technical assistance is being provided to develop a detailed technical proposal report on the required revisions to the Ugandan e-waste regulatory framework based on inputs gathered from consultation with stakeholders.
- ITU – SSCAF (2023 – 2024)
ITU has a joint project with the Government of Uganda through the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance and China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, supported by the South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund (SSCAF) /Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund (GDF). In line with the Third National Development Plan and Digital Uganda Vision framework, the project lays the foundation for ICT policy and planning with a focus on promoting the integration of ICT with other vertical industries in Uganda and driving the digital transformation of trade, government, education, health, and other areas, and promoting employment and sustainable development. The project is delivered under three components, which are mutually reinforcing: The first component consists of policy and strategy recommendations on e-waste and EPR. The review of national e-waste management guidelines comes under this first component. The second component consists of capacity development, with a focus on collection and sorting processes for e-waste in Uganda. The third component consists of implementation with pilot projects and use cases. The overarching objective of the joint project is to create sound recommendations for a regulatory framework for the governance of e-waste management under extended producer responsibility (EPR) in Uganda. The expected result is a technical proposal report on the implementation of EPR for the electricals and electronics sector in Uganda, which will be developed through mapping and linkages of the existing regulatory framework, government and stakeholder consultations and bilateral meetings with key institutions.
