social impact 18 August 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
From Scraps to Success: Brian Kalindi's Waste-to-Wealth Mission
Brian Kalindi, who endured extreme poverty and hunger in his childhood, has founded Feedup Uganda, a social enterprise that transforms organic waste into valuable livestock feed. His journey highlights how personal hardship can fuel innovation and create opportunities for others. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/lifestyle/reviews-profiles/kalindi-s-mission-to-turn-waste-into-gold-5562458
Brian Kalindi’s early life was marked by profound hardship. After his father abandoned the family due to crop failure and debt, Kalindi, as one of nine children, faced severe hunger, displacement, and even a harrowing two-week stint in an adult prison at the age of 10.
Forced to leave school at 13, Kalindi survived by scavenging for discarded food in town and taking on grueling manual labor. He learned early on that even what others considered waste held potential value, a lesson forged in the crucible of survival.
Despite immense challenges, including sleeping on classroom desks and owning only one set of clothes, Kalindi managed to complete his O-Levels. His dedication was recognized by a school director who offered him a bursary after witnessing his extraordinary work ethic in the school garden.
Kalindi’s first entrepreneurial attempt, Tomatofy Uganda, aimed to process tomatoes into powder, inspired by his father’s agricultural losses. However, the venture failed due to a lack of market understanding. This failure proved to be a crucial learning experience, teaching him the importance of involving target communities from the outset.
In 2024, Kalindi discovered the potential of black soldier flies. These insects thrive on organic waste, converting it into nutrient-rich larvae for livestock feed and fertilizer. His social enterprise, Feedup Uganda, now trains vulnerable farmers in this innovative process. The farmers rear the larvae and sell them back to Feedup Uganda, creating a sustainable income stream.
Feedup Uganda has trained 20 farmers, with 10 already actively producing. The model prioritizes women, youth, and other vulnerable groups, ensuring that those who participate in the system also benefit directly from it. Kalindi measures success not by personal wealth, but by the improved well-being and pride of his community, seeing his parents happy and farmers empowered.
His path to social entrepreneurship was solidified through training at Jangu International, where he learned to reframe his past struggles as valuable lessons for others. Today, Kalindi leads a dedicated team, demonstrating that even the most difficult experiences can be the foundation for transformative change.