To address Kampala’s pressing waste management challenges, Uganda Christian University (UCU) is pioneering working on and rolling out innovative solutions. Specifically, UCU is working through its research spearheaded by Dr. Ssepuuya Geoffrey from the Department of Food Science and Nutrition in the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences,

The initiative focuses on converting food waste into animal feed, offering a sustainable answer to the city’s enduring garbage problem.

Despite authorized garbage collectors managing to collect 28,000 tons of waste every month, this only accounts for 40% of Kampala’s total waste. “In Kampala, we only collect 40% of the waste,” noted Dr. Ssepuuya. This leaves 60% of waste uncollected, worsening the city’s waste management crisis and contributing to environmental degradation and other public health concerns.

In response to this challenge, UCU’s innovative Food Waste-to-Cricket Feed research aims to revolutionize waste management practices in the city.

The initiative involves distributing specially designed garbage cans to participating households, enabling efficient organic waste collection where each household receives two cans: one designated for boiled food waste and the other for raw food scrap.

This method not only facilitates effective waste management but also converts waste into valuable cricket feed, providing a sustainable solution for waste disposal while promoting environmental conservation.

The conversion process offers a dual benefit: reducing the volume of waste that ends up in dumpsites and producing a high-protein feed for crickets, which are a sustainable source of protein for animal feed and human consumption.

UCU’s Garbage Can Initiative: A Step Towards a Cleaner, Kampala

Vanecio Masereka, who works for Marie Royal Hotel, has requested additional trash cans, emphasizing the program’s significance.

“The two cans we have are not enough, yet they serve a great purpose,” he explained. “Having more cans would help us manage our waste more effectively and contribute to the sustainability efforts.”

Kisaakye Suzan, a resident of Makindye division, has embraced this practice and highlights its potential benefits for her community and beyond.

“They increase our flexibility since the organic foods that add weight to our garbage are taken free of charge,” she shared. “It not only helps us manage our waste better but also supports the environment.”

Patrick Kamya, a restaurant attendant, appreciates the service as it enables him to sort his garbage efficiently and gain insights into food consumption patterns.

“It enables me to know how much food is being consumed or how much food is being littered,” he noted. “This helps us reduce waste and manage our resources better.”

Peace Suubi, an apartment resident, also values the initiative for its economic and environmental benefits.

“UCU giving us garbage cans reduces the costs charged by the garbage collecting companies and increases cleanliness in the surrounding area,” Suubi said.

Dr. Ssepuuya and his team are committed to expanding the program and refining the waste-to-feed process. They aim to create a scalable model that can be implemented across the city and eventually the entire country.

“By converting organic waste into valuable resources, we can address multiple challenges simultaneously: waste management, food security, and environmental sustainability,” Ssepuuya said.

The UCU research team is also collaborating with local authorities and community leaders to ensure the program’s success and scalability. The initiative is part of a broader effort to promote sustainable practices and raise awareness about the importance of waste management and environmental conservation.

As more residents and businesses participate in the program, the collective impact will contribute to a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable Kampala.

The waste management innovation is funded by UCU and the European Union through the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology.

Compiled By: Irene Best Nyapendi

Edited By: Harriet Adong, Communication and PR Consultant at UCU.