Two young Ugandan innovators, Sandra Namboozo and Samuel Muyita, are brimming with hope ahead of the 2025 Young Inventors Prize announcement, expected later today in Iceland.
Their groundbreaking invention—biodegradable sachets that extend the shelf life of fruit—has earned them a place among the top 10 finalists for the prestigious European Patent Office (EPO) award.
Namboozo and Muyita’s innovation, made entirely from natural plant materials, slows down the ripening and spoilage process in fruits.
It offers an affordable and eco-friendly solution to one of Uganda’s biggest agricultural challenges: post-harvest losses.
They are the only Africans in the final shortlist, a fact that has stirred excitement both at home and across the continent.
“We are really very excited. This was a golden opportunity for Uganda, for Africa. We’ve done our best, and we are hopeful that the award will come home,” Namboozo said in an interview.
Their invention is rooted in personal experience. Both Namboozo and Muyita grew up in farming households, where they witnessed firsthand the toll of wasted produce.
“I used to throw away bananas that had gone bad,” Muyita recalled. “That pain pushed us to create something better. If you find what hurts you most, you’ll often find your purpose there.”
Muyita said the prize—if they win—would provide not only credibility but also the resources to scale their innovation across East Africa and beyond.
“If we win, we shall expand into Kenya and Rwanda,” he said. “We are also looking to enter the European and U.S. markets. The prize money will boost research and development for other perishable crops as well.”
Asked how they’d take it if they didn’t win, Muyita remained upbeat: “Everyone here is already a winner. The international exposure alone is a huge win. We’re inspired to go on regardless of today’s outcome.”
The pair had a message for Uganda’s youth.
“Only those who believe they can change the world actually do,” said Muyita. “What the world needs is already inside us.”
The winners of the 2025 Young Inventors Prize will be announced in Reykjavík, and across Africa, many are watching with pride and anticipation, hoping that this year’s prize will make its way to Uganda.