By Mulengera Reporters
Kampala’s busy downtown has become the center of a fast-rising industry that is quietly transforming broken electronics into real money, drawing the attention of top government officials.
A high-level delegation led by the Uganda Communications Commission visited Cornerstone Plaza along Kafumbe Mukasa Road on Monday (April 13, 2026) afternoon, where a growing network of technicians and traders is reshaping how Uganda handles electronic waste.
The team included Dr. Alfred Okot Okidi, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Water and Environment, Dr. Aminah Zawedde, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Mrs. Dorcas W. Okalany, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, and Alex Kakooza, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister.
What they witnessed was not a dumping ground, but a vibrant ecosystem where old phones, laptops, and other gadgets are given a second life.
Inside the plaza, small workshops are packed with young technicians carefully opening devices, removing parts, and rebuilding others. Items many people consider useless are instead being sold, repaired, or reused, creating a chain of value that continues long after the first owner is done with them.
Rebecca Mukite, Head Communications & Infrastructure Services at the Uganda Communications Commission, explained that ICT waste behaves very differently from ordinary garbage. Unlike food remains or plastic bottles, electronic devices often retain value even when they stop working. A damaged phone, for instance, can still be useful to a repairer who extracts parts to fix other devices.
This process is now being guided by the National Waste Management Policy, which encourages reuse, recycling, and responsible disposal. The approach also promotes Extended Producer Responsibility, pushing for systems where products are not simply thrown away but returned into the economy.
At Cornerstone Plaza, that system is already taking shape. Traders buy faulty electronics from the public, turning them into raw materials for repairs. In the process, refurbished devices are produced and sold at lower prices, making technology more accessible while reducing waste.
The impact is not only environmental but also economic. Young people are finding jobs and learning hands-on skills in repair and refurbishment. For many, it is an entry point into the technology sector without needing formal education.
One of the entrepreneurs, Alex Muteeganya, has built his business from a simple passion for computers. Starting as a self-taught learner, he now runs multiple small operations and employs a team of young technicians. Many of them began with no experience but have since gained practical skills through daily work and training.
His story reflects a wider trend across the plaza, where informal training and mentorship are helping to build a new workforce in the ICT sector.
Meanwhile, the Uganda Communications Commission says its pilot e-waste project is already showing results. At least six tons of electronic wastes have been collected so far, and more than 20 collection bins have been installed across the country. All UCC offices now serve as drop-off points for old electronics.
Mukite says one of the biggest challenges is changing public mindset. According to her, many people are hesitant to dispose of their devices because they still see them as valuable. However, this same perception is being turned into an advantage by creating systems where individuals can earn money from their old gadgets.
There is also growing concern about the dangers of improper disposal. Electronic waste can contain harmful materials that pose risks to human health and the environment if not handled correctly.
With stronger coordination and increasing awareness, the government hopes to build a more organized system that supports both safety and business growth.
At the heart of it all, Cornerstone Plaza stands as a powerful example of what is possible. What once looked like waste is now fueling livelihoods, innovation, and a new kind of urban economy.
In Kampala, the future of waste is no longer about throwing things away. It is about turning them into opportunity. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
