Waste & spills
Hazardous chemical waste in Uganda: classification, storage and choosing a licensed handler
In Uganda, the business that generates hazardous waste stays responsible for it until it reaches a licensed facility. How to classify, store and hand it over correctly.
What counts as hazardous waste. Section 102 of the National Environment Act Cap. 181 lists the characteristics that make waste hazardous: corrosive, carcinogenic, flammable, persistent, toxic, explosive, radioactive, infectious or reactive. The detailed classification and management rules are in the National Environment (Waste Management) Regulations, S.I. No. 49 of 2020.
Typical chemical wastes on industrial and oil and gas sites include:
- expired or surplus chemicals;
- contaminated absorbents and spill clean-up debris;
- used oil and oily rags;
- paint, thinner and adhesive residues;
- empty chemical containers;
- contaminated PPE;
- laboratory reagents;
- pesticide containers.
The generator's duties
- Segregate wastes by hazard class and compatibility. Never mix incompatible wastes in one container.
- Contain them in compatible, closed containers in good condition. Fill liquid containers to no more than 90%, leaving at least 10% headspace for expansion.
- Label each container "Hazardous Waste" with the specific contents ("diesel-contaminated sand", not "waste"), the hazards and the date generated. Avoid abbreviations and trade names.
- Store in a bunded, covered, secure area away from drains and stormwater, with incompatible wastes apart.
- Track every movement with a waste manifest, and keep chain-of-custody records.
- Use licensed handlers. Transporters and disposal facilities each need their own NEMA licence for the waste stream concerned.
Disposal options
| Method | Suitable for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Recycling and recovery | Used oil, solvents, batteries, metal drums | Preferred where available |
| High-temperature incineration | Highly toxic organic wastes that cannot be recycled | Two-chamber incinerators run at about 600 °C (primary) and up to 1,200 °C (secondary), with strict emission controls |
| Neutralisation and treatment | Acids, alkalis, some reactive wastes | Physical or chemical processes reduce the hazard before disposal |
| Stabilisation and encapsulation | Heavy metal sludges, residues | Binds contaminants to stop leaching |
| Engineered landfill | Treated residues only | The last resort, with liners and leachate control |
Choosing a handler. Ask for the current NEMA licence, and check that it covers your specific waste stream and the vehicle or facility being used. Request certificates of disposal or destruction for every consignment.
What to do
- Keep a waste register that links each waste stream to its handler, licence and disposal certificate.
- Inspect waste storage areas as often as chemical stores.
- Verify handlers' licences at least once a year and before each new contract.
How INRC can help
INRC does not transport or dispose of hazardous waste. We help you get it right: our environmental audits check waste registers, storage areas, manifests and handlers’ licences, and our sustainability advisory work helps reduce hazardous waste at the source. Contact us to discuss your site.
This article is general guidance, not legal advice. Check current legislation and regulations for your specific project.