Uganda’s young environmentalists are stepping up efforts to redefine how the country handles waste, turning garbage into green gold through innovation, while supporting national efforts to cut carbon emissions under the Paris Agreement.
From plastic repurposing to composting, bioenergy, and circular economy hubs, the youth are increasingly becoming central players in climate action, a move that government officials and climate experts say is critical if Uganda is to achieve its new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) targets by 2030.
During the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) Youth Stakeholder High-Level Event held in Kampala, Mr Emmanuel Teywa, a climate change officer from the Ministry of Water and Environment, said youth involvement is vital to the success of the country’s updated NDC 3.0, currently being formulated.
‘The youth are key drivers in implementing the NDCs because of their innovation, energy, and ability to scale up solutions,’ Teywa said, adding that Uganda’s NDC 3.0 aims to reduce emissions by 24.7 percent, equivalent to 36.88 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, by 2030.
The waste sector, though contributing a smaller portion of emissions, remains a growing concern due to urbanisation and limited recycling capacity.
‘The emissions from waste are increasing, and this calls for new measures, especially circular economy approaches such as recycling, reusing, and rethinking how we manage materials,’ he said.
As experts, Mr Tenywa said they have seen progress in the energy and agriculture sectors, but the waste sector still lags behind and as a fast-urbanising country, we must ensure that waste becomes an opportunity, not a problem.
‘We want to see youth innovations move from ideas to tangible projects that can be scaled across the country,’ he said.
Mr George Luganda, the climate lead at Green Africa Youth Organisation (GAYO), said youth participation in climate governance is no longer optional, it’s essential for sustainability.
‘As young people, we want to be at the centre of Uganda’s climate solutions and through the waste sector, we can turn plastic and other waste into useful products that provide employment and reduce emissions,’ he said.
According to Luganda, their contribution to the NDCs is through rethinking, reusing, and redesigning waste, making it part of a sustainable circular economy.
He added that the Youth Climate Council, recently established under the Ministry of Water and Environment, aims to serve as a one-stop coordination centre for young people working in climate-related sectors.
‘For long, youth efforts have been disjointed and underreported but we have hope that this council will harmonise youth initiatives and provide a monitoring and reporting tool that tracks real contributions to emission reductions,’ he said.
Mr Dean Tashobya, Uganda’s Chapter lead at the Africa Circular Economy Network, said waste should no longer be seen as a nuisance, but as a valuable resource that can drive green growth.
‘Circular economy means keeping resources at their highest value where there is no waste. Whatever remains from one process becomes a resource for another. It’s about closing the loop and regenerating our natural systems,’ he said.
He cited markets such as Nakawa and Nakasero, where large volumes of organic waste could be converted into animal feeds, compost, or bio-products instead of ending up in landfills such as Kiteezi, which pose health and environmental risks.
‘If that waste is turned into value like bioplastics, fuel briquettes, or black soldier fly farming we not only create jobs for the youth but also cut emissions significantly,’ he added.
Tashobya said partnerships across the value chain from farmers to recyclers and innovators are key to sustaining a circular economy.
‘You cannot work in silos and succeed, we need cooperation between markets, transporters, and waste processors to make sure waste becomes wealth,’ he said.
According to the 2024 Uganda National Census, 70 percent of Uganda’s population is under 30 years old, making youth inclusion central to the country’s climate strategy.
Experts agree that empowering this demographic through technology, financing, and skills development could unlock vast potential for green jobs and innovation.
Mr Luganda said Uganda’s biggest resource is its young people and turning waste into economic value through innovation and recycling can provide jobs, reduce pollution, and help the country meet its climate commitments.
‘Our progress depends on everyone, government, civil society, and especially young innovators, together, we can make waste management a pillar of climate resilience and sustainable development,’ he said.
Mr Luganda added that across Uganda, a quiet revolution is taking shape led not by policy papers alone, but by young people collecting plastic bottles, inventing eco-friendly products, and proving that sustainability and enterprise can coexist.
‘As the world moves toward COP30, Uganda’s youth are not just demanding a seat at the table they’re building it, piece by piece, from recycled wood, plastic, and purpose,’ he said.
key facts
What is NDC 3.0?
The Nationally Determined Contributions represent Uganda’s national action plan under the Paris Agreement, detailing how the country will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change impacts.
The third update NDC 3.0 is currently under development and will guide Uganda’s climate action through 2030.
Key targets
Cut emissions by 24.7 percent (about 36.8 million tonnes of CO2) by 2030. Strengthen resilience in key sectors: energy, agriculture, forestry, and waste management.
Promote gender-responsive and technology-driven climate solutions. Expand green financing and build capacity for youth-led innovations.
How youth contribute
Innovation and technology: Developing recycling apps, waste-to-energy start-ups, and low-carbon designs.
Circular economy projects: Turning plastics, food waste, and e-waste into new products and income sources. Community awareness: Mobilising schools and local communities on waste segregation and tree planting.