Owning My Voice, Owning My Future: Nakitedde Esezza’s Journey

At 60, Nakitedde Esezza, a mother of six from Mubende District, found hope through plastic waste collection.

“I had no other job. I was drained, facing deep financial struggles and unsure of how to get out,” she shares.

Before Eco Brixs, Nakitedde’s earnings were exploited — someone else collected her pay, her ex-boyfriend, sometimes giving her only part of what she deserved. Everything changed when Eco Brixs Collection Officer Ms. Esther Auma intervened.

“Esther called my then-boyfriend and boldly told him it was time to stop exploiting me. That moment changed everything.”

💪 Empowered and Independent

With Esther’s support, Nakitedde began managing her own finances. She started visiting the Eco Brixs finance office herself, where Nakitedde herself was paid for all the plastic she collected, reclaiming her dignity and independence.

“Owning my earnings gave me a voice. I felt seen. I felt empowered.”

Today, Nakitedde and her now-husband collect plastics individually, thriving as exemplary collectors. With UGX 528,495 ($155) earned from 960.9 kg of plastic, she can now:

• Travel to visit her children in Mubende

• Pay medical fees for her bedridden ex-husband

• Put food on the table for her family

“EcoBrixs has helped me put food on my table. It changed my life.”

🌱 Challenges and Hope

Nakitedde emphasises the importance of collectors using personal protective equipment (PPE) when they handle plastic waste and hopes that prices paid for plastic waste will continue to rise as Eco Brixs grows.

Her message to fellow collectors is full of encouragement:

“Take [plastic] waste collection as a game changer. It has improved my livelihood and it can change yours too.”

Nakitedde’s journey is a testament to how empowerment, dignity, and circular economy initiatives can transform lives — no matter your age.