My name is Johnmary Kavuma , and I am the Founder of Upcycle Africa.
When I was 19 years old, my life changed forever.
Next to our family home in Uganda was a poorly maintained drainage trench that had become a dumping site for plastic waste. Over time, plastic bottles, bags, and other debris accumulated, blocking the flow of water. When heavy rains came, the drainage system failed.
The trench overflowed.
The flooding caused the collapse of our house.
According to the police report, the collapse resulted directly from the blocked drainage system caused by plastic waste. In the tragedy that followed, my only grandmother lost her life due to the injuries she sustained. I survived but not without severe wounds to my head and a broken right arm.
The physical pain eventually healed.
The loss did not.
Turning Pain into Purpose
In the aftermath, I was left with difficult questions:
Why was plastic waste allowed to destroy homes and lives?
Why were the poorest communities the most exposed to environmental risks?
And why were housing, waste, and livelihoods treated as separate problems?
I realized that plastic pollution is not only an environmental issue it is a housing issue, a public health issue, and a social justice issue.
That loss became my turning point.
Instead of allowing grief to end my story, I chose to let it begin a new one.
Upcycle Africa
Our Impact So Far
Our innovative solutions have positively impacted over 2.7 million lives across Sub-Saharan Africa. From affordable housing to empowering wastepreneurs, we continue to transform waste into opportunities. But we’re just getting started! Join us as a team member, mentor, or partner, or support our programs with a donation. Together, we can build a cleaner, greener future.
Join Our Community
Our Partners
Our work wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of our partners. Together, we’re driving meaningful change.
