Nakitende Stellamaris2026-11-092026-11-092026http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14270/1156Rapid urbanization has led to a significant increase in municipal waste generation, posing environmental and public health challenges. This study focused on examining the relationship between solid waste management practices and sustainable waste management in Kitgum Municipality. The study objectives are; examining the existing solid waste management practices, evaluating the effectiveness of solid waste management practices implemented by Kitgum Municipal council, assessing the relationship between solid waste management practices and sustainable waste management and to determine the best solid waste management practices for sustainable waste management. A cross-sectional survey research design was employed for this study. The study population included the technical staffs, political leaders and household heads. These respondents were selected due to their relevant knowledge and ability to provide valid opinions on the topic. Random sampling technique was used, and a total of 385 questionnaires were administered. The demographic profiles of respondents were presented in tables showing frequency distributions and percentages. Thematic analysis was used for qualitative data to show the impact of current solid waste management practices on environmental cleanliness, health outcomes, and community engagement, providing contextual understanding of the measurable effects identified in the quantitative analysis. The correlation matrix was employed to test the relationship between solid waste management practices and the sustainable management of waste, with a significance level of 0.05. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.0. Majority of respondents (68%) reported that comprehensive strategy for control of waste generation and storage existed although, transportation challenges due to insufficient funding (50%) and limited community engagement (66%) hindered its effectiveness. A very strong positive relationship was found between solid waste management practices and the sustainable waste management in Kitgum Municipality, with (p-value = 0.01). Further regression analysis revealed a significant effect of solid waste management practices on sustainable waste management, with (p-value = 0.01). This study concludes that solid waste management practices strongly influence the sustainable waste management. The study emphasizes the need for improved planning and management strategies to enhance sustainability in waste management. Policy-makers and local authorities should adopt best practices, taking a holistic approach that considers environmental, social, and economic factors aligned with sustainable development goals.enThesis