Bugembe Samuel on make Uganda clean again project #2030
MUCA: A Community-Led Initiative by Blac-Arts UG and Anchors for Youth Africa.
photo by NZE CREATION(S)
“This project is led by Bugembe Samuel, a Ugandan plastic recycler, skills and art trainer…”
MUCA (Make Uganda Clean Again)
is a community-driven initiative centered on plastic waste collection, recycling into construction blocks, and public art, led by Blac-Arts UG with the support of Anchors for Youth Africa.
The project brings together environmental action, hands-on skills training, and creative placemaking to address plastic pollution, youth unemployment, and neglected public spaces in Ugandan communities.
MUCA is not designed as a standalone art project. It is a practical response to everyday problems, built and implemented by organizations already working directly with youth and communities.
The Organizations Behind MUCA
Blac-Arts UG
Blac-Arts UG is a visual arts and creative training brand focused on using art as a tool for community engagement and social change under Bugembe Samuel ( founder).
Through MUCA, Blac-Arts UG leads the creative direction, mural design, and hands-on artistic training while ensuring that community voices shape the final outcomes.
Anchors for Youth Africa
Anchors for Youth Africa is a youth-focused non-governmental organization dedicated to skills development, practical training, and sustainable livelihoods. Within MUCA, Anchors for Youth Africa supports community mobilization, youth participation, technical training, and the environmental education components that turn waste collection into real-world skills.
Together, these organizations form the backbone of MUCA’s implementation and sustainability.
Why MUCA Exists
Plastic waste continues to overwhelm communities, clog drainage systems, and degrade public spaces. At the same time, young people face limited opportunities for meaningful, hands-on work that builds employable skills.
MUCA addresses both challenges by treating plastic waste as a resource and young people as problem-solvers.
What MUCA Does on the Ground
Plastic Waste Collection
MUCA begins with organized community clean-ups led by youth groups, schools, and local residents. Waste plastics are collected, sorted, and prepared for recycling, creating immediate environmental impact.
Recycling into Building Blocks
Collected plastics are processed and converted into durable construction blocks using accessible recycling methods. These blocks are used to build walkways, seating, edging, and small community structures, making the results visible and functional.
Murals as Story and Protection are added onto idea community walls to communicate educative messages of recycling, responsibility, and community pride. They also help protect the spaces from neglect and vandalism by creating a sense of identity and ownership.
Skills Development and Youth Empowerment.
-Participants gain skills in:
-Waste collection and sorting
-Basic recycling
-Small-scale construction
-Mural painting and design
These skills support future
-employment,
-creative entrepreneurship
-community-led initiatives beyond MUCA itself.
-Community Ownership
Below is bugembe Samuel x account link
#MUCA is adaptable to schools, community centers, informal settlements, and public institutions, making it suitable for partnerships focused on sustainability, youth development, and construction.
Looking Ahead Led by Blac Arts UG and supported by Anchors for Youth Africa, MUCA aims to expand into more communities, refine its recycling processes, and strengthen pathways for youth into green skills and creative industries.
The murals may catch attention, but the real foundation of MUCA is built from reclaimed plastic, trained hands, and community ownership.
About the Author
Bugembe Samuel is a Ugandan plastic recycling practitioner and youth empowerment leader working with Anchors for Youth Afrika and through Blac-Arts Ug. He focuses on turning plastic waste into sustainable livelihoods for youth in Uganda
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