Uganda faces a significant energy challenge, especially in the area of household cooking. A lot of Ugandan households rely on traditional biomass fuels, mainly firewood and charcoal, as their primary source of cooking energy. These fuels are cheap and widely available, but they come with serious environmental, economic, and health consequences.
At the same time, the country struggles with waste management. Large amounts of waste are discarded every day, contributing to pollution and unsanitary living conditions. Yet much of this discarded biomass could actually be transformed into clean‑energy products.
Our #E4ImpactEntrepreneur and graduate of the Global MBA in Uganda, Betty Kaddu, saw this challenge as an opportunity. She is the CEO of the Best of Waste Ltd, a social enterprise committed to transforming waste into sustainable energy products while empowering communities and improving livelihoods.
“The flexibility of the E4Impact program allowed me to continue growing as an entrepreneur while caring for my family. The MBA provided practical skills that reshaped my business perspective, and its strong focus on real‑world problem‑solving helped me approach my enterprise with a more refined strategy. Through networking with fellow professionals and benchmarking with their enterprises, I not only broadened my vision but was also reminded that I am not alone in this journey.”
Let’s get to know Betty better through the interview we conducted with her.
1. Could you share a general framework of the services, activities, solutions and/or benefits that your business has provided over the last years?
Our mission is to provide affordable clean energy that improves the livelihoods of our clients and strengthens our community.
Our work includes such activities as:
- Producing eco‑friendly briquettes, offering a cleaner and more affordable alternative to traditional fuels.
- Engaging and employing community members, especially youth and women, who gain both skills and income through their involvement.
- Promoting environmental conservation by reducing reliance on wood and charcoal, helping to curb deforestation and protect local biodiversity.
- Building partnerships and strengthening outreach with local suppliers and organizations to improve resource access and expand our distribution.
- Raising awareness on clean‑energy solutions through education and demonstrations in our sales points and community spaces.
We produce eco‑friendly briquettes, energy‑saving stoves, and training services. We primarily work with households, restaurants, schools, and poultry farmers, while our key beneficiaries are local youth, women, and families who gain access to cleaner, more affordable fuel options. We operate within Uganda, collaborating with both local suppliers and organizations to source materials and expand our reach.
Through our work we are promoting the adoption of clean‑energy products, contributing to environmental protection by lowering dependence on wood and traditional charcoal. These efforts help safeguard local forests and biodiversity, reduce in deforestation and improve air‑quality levels.
2. Which are the main achievements in the last 3 years and the main desired goals in the next 3 years?
Over the years, our business has produced and distributed more than 300 tons of eco‑friendly briquettes, offering a cleaner alternative to traditional fuels. This has enabled over 500 households and small businesses to access an affordable and sustainable energy source that reduces both deforestation and air pollution.
We have engaged over 100 local youth and women in the briquettes production process, offering them valuable skills and a steady income. We have trained over 100 community members in sustainable energy production, strengthening their technical capabilities and economic resilience.
We have developed partnerships with over 25 local suppliers and like-minded organizations, improving resource access, streamlining operations, and expanding the reach of clean‑energy products. We are also collaborating with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) on research initiatives to further enhance our production processes.
Our efforts have been recognized by the NSSF Hi‑Innovator Award, and we have received valuable mentorship and support from institutions including E4Impact and MIT. Completing the E4Impact Global MBA has further strengthened our leadership and strategic vision.
Through our sales shops and outreach activities, we have continuously raised awareness about the benefits of clean energy, encouraging families and entrepreneurs to adopt cleaner fuel solutions. This has helped foster a growing community of environmentally conscious users committed to long‑term sustainable practices.
In the future, we hope to scale our impact, empower more communities through our planned Training Centre, and play a key role in Uganda’s transition toward sustainable energy. Our long‑term goal is to create more employment opportunities, particularly for women and young people, while continuing to reduce environmental harm caused by deforestation.
3. What made you choose the E4I MBA Program?
I was looking for an opportunity to strengthen my business strategies, expand my network, and explore new opportunities to scale my enterprise while creating meaningful community impact. Generating positive impact has always been an important motivator for me, and the E4Impact MBA offered the right combination of practical learning, entrepreneurial support, and values‑driven growth.
4. How was your business idea born?
In an effort to make ends meet, I explored making my own cooking fuel after visiting a school where students were making charcoal from waste paper for their entrepreneurship class. The process was very labor‑intensive, so I involved local youth and women to help, and together, we produced more than we could use. Their willingness to return for work, and this inspired me to formalize our efforts. And thus, “Best of Waste,” was formed.
5. Could you tell us a particular satisfactory moment you had in your entrepreneurial activity?
One of the most satisfying moments has been experiencing the opportunities that have come my way because of my green enterprise, including this MBA scholarship and the invitation to travel and work at the prestigious MIT.
6. What impact have you seen in your environment, and what impact do you aim to create for your beneficiaries in the future?
We have seen a clear shift toward cleaner and more responsible energy use. By producing briquettes from waste materials, we are helping reduce deforestation and air pollution while offering a practical alternative to harmful traditional fuels. We involve youth and women in the production process, empowering them with skills and income.
Our goal is to reach more people and provide affordable, clean energy to replace harmful fuels. We also want to train more people in sustainable production and business management. By doing this, we can help the environment and improve people’s lives.
7. What has been the main challenge you had to overcome in your entrepreneurial experience? How have you managed to overcome it?
Beyond challenges such as raising capital, marketing, and optimizing our business processes, the biggest obstacle I have faced has been keeping the business profitable and preventing it from shutting down. Ensuring a steady income and managing resources effectively required a complete shift in how I approached the enterprise. Balancing our social impact with the need to remain financially sustainable was not easy, and it pushed me to rethink my strategy.
A key step was learning about business laws, compliance requirements, and the standards needed to keep our operations legal and protected from penalties. I also invested in additional training to strengthen my entrepreneurial skills and learned from other social entrepreneurs who generously shared their experiences.
To keep the business strong, I focused on increasing revenue, reducing unnecessary costs, and improving the efficiency of our production processes. The E4Impact MBA program played a crucial role as well, helping me refine our business plan and build a solid foundation for financial management and daily operations.
8. In your opinion, what are the main qualities an entrepreneur should have?
An entrepreneur must be passionate about their idea and have a clear goal. They need the ability to overcome challenges and adapt to change, as well as the courage to take risks and approach problems creatively. Above all, an entrepreneur must be hardworking and fully dedicated to building their business.
9. Is there a person you are inspired by, i.e. an entrepreneur or a particular mentor?
I am inspired by Joyce Tamale, the Founder and CEO of Capital Solutions Ltd. She is a passionate social entrepreneur dedicated to empowering social enterprises across Africa. With over 20 years of experience in the private and social sectors, Joyce has a proven track record of transforming businesses into sustainable ventures. Her commitment to creating positive social impact and her innovative approach to business have made her a role model for aspiring entrepreneurs.
10. Finally, what would you suggest to a new-born entrepreneur?
A new-born entrepreneur should be passionate about their idea and have a clear vision. They should be willing to learn, adapt, and take calculated risks. It’s important to build strong relationships with mentors and other entrepreneurs, and to seek guidance when needed. Remember, the journey of entrepreneurship is filled with challenges, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Stay focused, work hard, and never give up on your dreams.
11. Any final comment/suggestion you’d like to share?
My experience with the E4Impact community has been truly life‑changing, and I’m deeply grateful for the guidance, support, and skills it has given me. The program helped me grow my enterprise and connect with people who, like me, are committed to creating positive impact. I believe there is great value in giving members even more opportunities to share knowledge and experiences, as learning from others facing similar challenges can be incredibly powerful. I strongly recommend the E4Impact program to any entrepreneur seeking practical skills and a supportive, purpose‑driven network.
