Kampala Lord Mayor Encourages Youth to Pursue Urban Farming and Waste Recycling

Kampala Lord Mayor Ronald Nsubuga Balimwezo has called on the city’s young population to embrace urban agriculture and waste recycling as potential sources of income. He highlighted that technological advancements can play a crucial role in addressing both youth unemployment and the escalating waste management challenges faced by Kampala.

Balimwezo’s remarks came during a visit to a demonstration farm in Kyanja, where he observed agricultural technologies designed for urban settings with limited land. Innovations such as soilless farming, which uses nutrients and stones instead of soil, were showcased. While the materials for this method have a modest cost, establishing a complete production bed can require a significant investment.

The Lord Mayor emphasized that such technological farming methods could create substantial opportunities for young entrepreneurs if organized into structured businesses capable of attracting investment. He views urban agriculture not just as a food production strategy but as a significant employment and income generator for city dwellers.

Furthermore, Balimwezo connected urban farming with the broader issue of waste management, advocating for waste to be seen as a valuable resource. Technologies exist to recycle waste into useful products or process it into powders for various applications. To attract necessary funding, he stressed the importance of proper business documentation, such as memoranda of association, to formalize ventures.

However, the Lord Mayor also expressed concern over inter-institutional disagreements hindering waste management efforts. He pointed out that the daily influx of waste presents ongoing environmental challenges, necessitating practical and sustainable solutions for collection, recycling, and disposal. Balimwezo believes that integrating urban farming, recycling, and technology-driven initiatives can transform Kampala’s challenges into economic opportunities for its youth.

Source: Nile Post