Munich, Germany – Two young entrepreneurs from Uganda have developed an innovative, plant-based solution to combat food waste.
Their invention, a biodegradable sachet that can extend the shelf life of fresh fruit by up to 30 days, has earned Sandra Namboozo (26) and Samuel Muyita (27), founders of Karpolax, a spot in the top 10 innovators for the Young Inventors Prize 2025, known as Tomorrow Shapers.
This recognition comes amidst global challenges of food waste and hunger.
Despite the steady increase in the global population, around 40% of all food produced does not reach the market, according to the World Wildlife Fund.
The report highlights the significant problem: over 1 billion tonnes of food are wasted annually worldwide, while hundreds of millions face hunger. Namboozo and Muyita grew up in farming families in Uganda and witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of post-harvest losses on farmers’ incomes. This experience fueled their determination to find a natural, affordable alternative to synthetic preservers.
Their solution involves sachets that release a blend of plant-derived compounds extracted from sources like cloves, lemongrass, eucalyptus, and wintergreen.
These compounds work by slowing down the natural ripening process caused by ethylene gas and protecting fruit against mold, fungi, and bacteria.
The sachets are designed for controlled release and are biodegradable.
Pilot tests conducted with Uganda’s National Agricultural Research Organization showed impressive results. Mangoes stored with the sachets remained fresh for 33 days, compared to just 11 days for those without. The sachets have also been successfully used with bananas, apples, and oranges.
The affordable price point makes them particularly suitable for smallholder farmers and local markets in Uganda, offering a cost-effective way to reduce waste and potentially increase earnings.
“Farmers are one of our biggest customer groups. We wanted to use our knowledge and technical skills to develop something that would not just end on a paper in a lab but really be used by somebody,” explained Namboozo in the announcement. Muyita added that they met at Makerere University in Kampala, bonded over a shared ambition to reduce food waste, and launched Karpolax in 2020 with support from university supervisors.
By 2023, Karpolax had reportedly worked with over 100 farmers, 20 exporters, and 250 market vendors. The company is now expanding its product line to include sachets for pineapples, capsicum, and berries, and plans to expand its reach across Africa, targeting countries like Kenya and Rwanda.
According to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), over 1 billion tonnes of food are wasted annually, while 783 million people suffer from hunger. This invention offers an innovative solution.
The Young Inventors Prize celebrates global innovators aged 30 and under who use technology to tackle challenges based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Namboozo and Muyita’s invention supports Zero Hunger (SDG 2) by reducing losses and Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12) through sustainable preservation practices.
The prize winners will be announced during a ceremony livestreamed from Iceland on June 18, 2025.
More information about the invention and the inventors’ story is available online.
Sandra Namboozo and Samuel Muyita, founders of Karpolax, are young Ugandan entrepreneurs dedicated to reducing food waste through affordable, natural post-harvest solutions that benefit smallholder farmers and contribute to food security by extending the usable life of fresh produce.
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