From Environmental Hazard to Renewable Energy: Erudites Movement Uganda's Innovative Solution to the Water Hyacinth

The proliferation of water hyacinths in Lake Victoria is a severe environmental problem. According to a report by the Lake Victoria Basin Commission in the early 2000s, the water hyacinth infestation on Lake Victoria covered about 30% of the lake’s surface. In 2021, it was reported that the hyacinth covered up to 90% of the lake’s surface, making clearing it a massive undertaking that is estimated to cost about $15 million annually.

Erudites Movement Uganda, a team of four youths aged between 15 and 24, has developed a sustainable solution to the water hyacinth problem in Portbell Luzira.

The project aims to remove the hyacinth from the lake and convert it into biogas and fertilizers. The process incentivizes local fishermen to collect the hyacinth, paying them for every kilogram collected. The collected hyacinth is then converted into biogas and fertilizers, which are sold to the community at an affordable price.

One of the team members, Natukunda Amanda Ethol, shared her inspiration for the project. Having studied Agriculture and Land use, Ethol was driven by her passion for finding a lasting solution to the water hyacinth problem. Through research, she discovered that hyacinths can be used to generate renewable energy instead of being disposed of and becoming an environmental hazard.

Ethol learned about the UNICEF Youth Innovation Challenge through the “Fridays For Future Uganda” WhatsApp group. UNICEF in partnership with Outbox Hub through the UNICEF Youth Innovation Challenge used the UPSHIFT model which is also referred to as the iUPSHIFT model to encourage children and youths (15-24 years) to come up with climate change solutions in Uganda with the primary focus on Kampala and neighboring suburbs.?

The Innovation Challenge kicked off with an inspiration workshop during which the teams were introduced to the Upshift methodology that addresses; how to identify climate-change-related problems in their communities, the people affected, and the causes of the problem.?

In teams of 3-5, they submitted their ideas from which 10 teams were selected to carry on to the 3-day UNICEF Youth Innovation Challenge Hackathon. 8 teams then submitted their work plans and budgets while 6 teams pitched and 5 of these were awarded $ 1000 each in seed funding and mentorship from the Outbox hub.

Erudites Movement Uganda was among the five teams selected for the challenge. Ethol notes that the project will not only create a new source of renewable energy but also provide employment opportunities for the local community in Portbell Luzira and other parts of the country affected by water hyacinth.

The project faces some challenges, including the high cost of packaging the gas, and compression. Additionally, transitioning the local community's mindset from using readily available firewood to clean energy requires resources.?

However, Ethol believes that with funding support, the project can overcome these challenges and establish itself in the market, receive feedback, and improve its services. She also hopes to scale the project to other areas in Uganda and reach out to households to use the biogas directly.

Ethol notes that the Outbox mentorship and support program has been instrumental in refining the project and providing guidance. The Upshift methodology helped the team understand the core cause of the hyacinth problem and prioritize their solutions to the problem.