An assessment of healthcare waste segregation in selected hospitals in kampala district
Ndejje University Journal Of Interdisciplinary Studies,
Volume 1, Issue 2 [September 2025]
eISSN:3079-7683
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64080/ndujis.2025.1.2.Sptr006
1.Godfrey Olum, Ndejje University Uganda, labejagodfrey@gmail.com:
2.Favor Excellence, Soroti University, efavorsun.ac.ug:
3.Wilson Muyinda Mande, Nkumba University, mandewm@gmail.com:
4.Henry Buwule Musoke, Ndejje University Uganda, hbuwule@ndejjeuniversity.ac.ug:
Abstract
Across Sub-Saharan Africa, an increasing need to intervene in healthcare waste is evident. This has been driven by population growth, increased number of healthcare facilities and number of materials used on rising patients. In addition to these drivers, health facilities have increased in Kampala since 1990s due to relative peace and business entrepreneurs. Thus, to identify separation methods and their effect formed the objective. For this study, qualitative and quantitative methods were adopted to collect data especially the field observation, survey questionnaires and reviewed documents. Data were organized using Microsoft excel and later Statistical Products and Service for analysis. Therefore, the focus of the article remained on waste segregation or sorting practice in selected hospitals especially Mulago National Referral Hospital and surrounding private healthcare facilities. Results indicate that healthcare personnel remain frontline separators healthcare waste with 98% using color coded bins although some wastes could be observed lying outside near official offices. Within some black bins, mixed waste – solid, sharp, soft, food, hard utensils and blood-stained woolen materials were observed. In wards and laboratories, separation into red, and green bins were observed; packing could be made within similar rooms for transportation through hand-pushing to nearby stationed vehicles. In all, there was increased vigilance of healthcare personnel towards waste segregation using color – coded bins. But, the mixing of some hazardous and sharp materials calls for a more vigilant approach.


























