environment 9 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Kampala's Garbage: A Hidden Goldmine for Youthful Entrepreneurs, Experts Say
Experts are advocating for a shift in perspective, urging that Kampala's substantial daily waste, particularly organic and agricultural byproducts, be viewed not just as an environmental burden but as a significant opportunity for youth employment and wealth creation through innovative ventures. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/kampala-s-garbage-pile-could-be-goldmine-for-youth-experts-say-5589208
Kampala grapples with an overwhelming amount of solid waste daily, estimated to be between 2,000 and 2,500 tonnes. However, waste management specialists believe this urban challenge holds immense potential for job creation and income generation if young innovators are empowered to transform garbage into valuable products.
Plawaste Consult Limited’s managing director, Kenneth Tumusiime, highlighted that a significant portion of this waste comprises organic material transported into the city with agricultural produce. This practice, he noted, deprives rural farms of valuable organic matter that could be returned to the soil as fertilizer.
During the recent launch of the Kampala Youth Innovation Challenge, Tumusiime encouraged young people to develop innovative solutions. These could focus on reducing the volume of farm waste reaching Kampala or creating businesses by processing it. “Waste is not waste. Waste can be turned into wealth,” he declared, emphasizing that innovations in transportation and processing could keep valuable materials like banana peels and stems on farms for reuse.
Experts suggest various avenues for entrepreneurial pursuits, including the manufacturing of packaging materials, the production of bioenergy and biofuels, and the creation of compost and organic fertilizers. “Composting is one of the methods you can use to generate organic fertilisers to fertilize our crops,” Tumusiime explained, noting the potential of biological processes to convert organic waste into valuable commodities.
Vice President Jessica Alupo echoed the call for investment in youth-led initiatives, stating that the government cannot tackle the waste crisis alone. She urged stakeholders to provide financial support, mentorship, and market access to aspiring young entrepreneurs. “Kampala does not only need people to clean up after waste has been generated. Kampala needs entrepreneurs, engineers, scientists, technologists and innovators who can prevent waste, transform it, create value from it and generate employment,” Alupo stated.
The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) notes that food and garden waste constitute the largest share of the city’s garbage. KCCA’s Supervisor of Solid Waste and Environment, Emily Namanya, pointed out that waste collection efficiency is currently at 50-60%, with minimal waste segregation at the source, a critical step for effective recycling and upcycling.