Assessment of the Impact of Community Participation on Solid Waste Management Performance in Muhanga City, Rwanda

Solid waste management has become a critical environmental and public health challenge affecting both developed and developing countries, where rapid urbanisation has significantly increased waste generation, while waste management infrastructure and service provision remain inadequate in many urban cities. The same challenge occurred in Muhanga City, Rwanda, where the volume and complexity of waste generated daily increased to approximately 30 tons, yet only 6.3% of households’ access formal collection services while the majority resort to uncontrolled disposal practices (NISR, 2022; GGGI, 2019), leading to environmental pollution, blocked drainage systems, unpleasant odors, and increased public health risks associated with poor sanitation. Despite growing waste pressures, the role of community participation in improving solid waste management performance in Rwanda's secondary cities has remained largely underexplored. This study therefore assessed the impact of community participation on solid waste management performance in Muhanga City, Rwanda. The three specific objectives were to determine the level of community participation among urban households, to assess the level of solid waste management performance, and to examine the relationship between the two variables. The target population consisted of urban households from Nyamabuye and Shyogwe sectors, from which a sample of 393 respondents was selected. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaires, while secondary data were obtained through document review. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis. Findings revealed that the overall level of community participation among urban households in Muhanga City was very high (mean = 4.65) and significantly explained 71.6% of the variation in solid waste management performance (R² = .716, F = 244.331, p = 0.000), with household waste practices emerging as the strongest predictor (r = .791). The study concludes that strengthening community participation through waste separation, financial contribution, and engagement in sanitation decision-making is essential for improving solid waste management outcomes in Muhanga City and comparable secondary urban centres.