Kampala’s informal and peri-urban settlements present multiple operational challenges, including inaccessible terrain, pits with high solid waste content, congestion at disposal sites, and social stigma among workers. 

• Similar to Kisumu, findings from Kampala show that a broad technology package is required as there is no single solution that is sufficient across all contexts.  
• Technology selection is shaped by access conditions, containment type, sludge characteristics, and operator experience. 
• Mechanical technologies consistently improved job capacity, reduced sludge exposure, and increased efficiency compared to manual methods.  
• Vacuum trucks remained important in accessible areas, while the Pitvaq was widely used for portable emptying operations.  

Context and Challenge 

Kampala has an estimated resident population of 1.8 million people, rising to around 2.5 million during the day, with around 85% of households relying on on-site sanitation. Kampala’s informal and peri-urban settlements present multiple operational challenges, including inaccessible terrain, pits with high solid waste content, congestion at disposal sites, and social stigma among workers. 

Technology Deployment 

Kampala shows a broad spread of technologies rather than reliance on one method. This suggests that different technologies are serving different operational niches. 

Between April 2025 and March 2026, 150 pit-emptying jobs were recorded. The PuPu Pump recorded the highest number of jobs, followed by cesspool trucks, PitVaq, improved manual methods, Gulper and manual emptying. 

GIS Map showing the Technology distribution for Kampala 

Emerging Operational Points 

Mechanical technologies consistently improved job capacity, reduced sludge exposure, and increased efficiency compared to manual methods. However, the data also shows a broad spread of technology use rather than reliance on a single method, indicating that different tools serve different operational niches. 

The Pupu Pump was the most frequently recorded technology during the reporting period. However, this reflects observed use within the project context rather than a direct measure of market preference, as multiple technologies were actively tested. 

Vacuum trucks remained important in accessible areas, while the Pitvaq was widely used for portable emptying operations.  

Overall, Kampala demonstrates that a broad technology package is required, with no single solution sufficient across all contexts. Technology selection is shaped by access conditions, containment type, sludge characteristics, and operator experience. 

Technology Jobs recorded	Technology Jobs recorded
Manual emptying	46
Improved manual emptying	31
PuPu Pump	29
PitVaq	10
Vacuum truck	7
Total	150

Table 1. Jobs recorded per technology in Kampala