Across Uganda, what is often considered waste - banana peels, wilted greens, and eggshells, is being reimagined as a valuable resource. In a nation struggling with food insecurity and high unemployment, these discarded materials are transforming into income-generating products and agricultural manure, thanks to an innovative program supported by the Rupert Scofield Vision Grant Fund and led by FINCA Uganda.
The Waste to Wealth Initiative is rapidly gaining momentum among urban households. To date, more than 150 community groups in the Kampala District have been trained in composting, waste management, and urban gardening. The program aims to extend its reach to 500 communities across the Central Region by 2026.
Under this initiative, families are learning to turn organic waste like fruit peels, vegetable scraps, dry leaves, soil, and water into nutrient-rich compost in just a few weeks. The results are already evident, with flourishing household gardens improving food diversity and self-sufficiency.
In Kampala’s suburbs and surrounding towns, residents are creatively transforming plastic bottles, discarded basins, old tyres, and sacks into mini gardens on verandas and rooftops.
“I started with two sacks of spinach just to see if it would work,” said Sarah Namatovu, a mother of three from Kanyanya. “Now I grow tomatoes, onions, and sukuma wiki in plastic bottles, old tyres, broken basins, or tins. My children love watching things grow, and I no longer spend money on vegetables.”
The initiative is also helping community groups produce organic fertiliser at a larger scale using market waste. This has led to cleaner neighbourhoods, reduced waste piles, and healthier diets for local households.
Local authorities note that the program is not only beautifying communities but also creating economic opportunities. Women and youth are earning income through the sale of compost, seedlings, and surplus produce. There is also a noticeable shift from chemical fertilizers to organic alternatives.
“This is a simple yet powerful response to two of Uganda’s biggest challenges: waste management and hunger,” said Justine Nabawanuka, a Research Officer at FINCA Uganda. “The solutions are already within reach. By turning garbage into manure or verandas into gardens, communities just need the right guidance and opportunity.”
Implemented through the Rupert Scofield Vision Fund by FINCA International, in partnership with FINCA Uganda, this project showcases how grassroots innovation can create lasting social and environmental change. Coordinators Justine Nabawanuka and Scovia Nanziri emphasize that the initiative is promoting both environmental stewardship and financial resilience.
As the program continues to grow, organizers are optimistic that it will play a crucial role in fostering sustainable livelihoods across Uganda. For many households, the path to a greener future starts with something as simple as a banana peel.