Turning Waste into Opportunity: Circular Economy Solutions in Nakivale Refugee Settlement
Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Uganda
UMOJA for Peace and Resilience has launched a circular economy initiative in Nakivale Refugee Settlement, transforming waste into market-ready products while creating jobs, improving public health, and supporting sustainable livelihoods for refugees and host communities.
The project responds to two critical challenges in displacement settings: limited livelihood opportunities and growing environmental waste. By converting waste into valuable products, the initiative demonstrates how environmental protection and economic inclusion can go hand in hand.
What We Produce
Through a locally driven circular economy business model, the project transforms different waste streams into practical, high-quality products:
- Animal hides are processed into finished leather products
- Polythene bags are converted into synthetic leather
- Plastic bottles and mixed plastics are transformed into furniture such as tables and chairs, as well as construction materials including tiles
- Organic and agricultural waste is converted into organic manure and animal feed, providing affordable inputs for smallholder farmers
All products are designed to meet household, agricultural, and institutional needs.
Creating Jobs and Sustainable Income
The recycled and upcycled products are commercially sold, generating earned revenue that supports the sustainability of the initiative. At the same time, the project creates employment opportunities for refugees, particularly youth, who are engaged in waste collection, processing, production, and sales.
This approach enables participants to move beyond short-term income activities toward stable, skills-based employment.
Environmental and Community Impact
Beyond income generation, the initiative delivers wider community benefits:
- Reduced environmental pollution and waste accumulation
- Improved public health through cleaner living spaces
- Increased availability of affordable agricultural inputs for farmers
- Strengthened awareness of environmental stewardship and recycling
By closing the loop between waste and production, the project contributes to greener, healthier, and more resilient communities.
A Model for Inclusive Green Growth
UMOJA’s circular economy project demonstrates the potential of refugee-led, market-driven solutions to address environmental challenges while advancing economic inclusion. The initiative is designed to be scalable, with the potential to expand production, reach new markets, and create additional jobs within and beyond Nakivale Refugee Settlement.