Tubikima Waste App Brings Smart Waste Solutions to Uganda’s Doorsteps

By Iqra Zulaika Nakato

 A young Ugandan startup is turning everyday waste into a climate change solution with the launch of a smart mobile app and Uganda’s first Integrated Waste Management and Resource Recovery Park.

Tubikima Waste, a youth-led company under Bigseal Holding, is leading the way in modern waste management through technology and innovation. The startup launched its Tubikima app on July 31, 2025—offering residents and businesses an easy way to schedule waste pickups, track collection teams in real time, and pay electronically. The app removes the guesswork from garbage collection and puts the power in the hands of the people.

“Climate begins at your doorstep,” is the slogan that drives Tubikima’s mission. The team, made up of young Ugandans, uses bicycles and tuk-tuks fitted with smart tracking systems to collect waste directly from homes. They also teach people how to separate biodegradable from non-biodegradable waste—encouraging behavior change at the community level.

Improper waste disposal has long contributed to Uganda’s environmental challenges—clogged drainage systems, methane emissions from rotting garbage, and rising pollution levels. With increasing droughts and erratic rainfall due to climate change, Tubikima’s founders believe that small actions—like proper waste sorting—can spark big environmental solutions.

“People think climate change is something far away,” says co-founder John Peter Katumba. “But every plastic bottle we throw in the wrong place adds to the problem. We want to change that mindset.”

The innovation doesn’t end with collection. Tubikima is building Uganda’s first Integrated Waste Management and Resource Recovery Park. Once complete, the park will process collected waste through advanced mechanical sorting systems. Recyclable materials like plastic, glass, paper, and metals will be returned to local industries, supporting a circular economy.

Meanwhile, organic waste will be converted into biogas to power park operations and turned into organic fertilizer to boost soil health. This fertilizer is a game changer for Uganda’s farmers, who make up 76% of the population and rely heavily on the land.

Tubikima’s model is proving that local innovation can drive national change. In a world battling waste and climate crisis, these young Ugandans are showing that the solution can begin right at your doorstep—with the waste you throw away.