The product was created to boost exports, as well as protect the environment, reduce pollution, and cut down on food waste.
Sandra Namboozo, a chemical engineer, and Samuel Muyita, a civil and environmental engineer, both young people, designed Karpolax in Uganda, a biodegradable bag that helps extend the shelf life of fruit.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Uganda is the largest fruit producer in the East African region.
However, this nation does not stand out in the export of this product because the shelf life of its fruits is very short, which places Tanzania and Kenya in the top positions as major exporters, according to a report published by NTVUganda on its YouTube channel.
To help solve this problem, Sandra Namboozo and Samuel Muyita created Karpolax.
The two met while studying at Makerere University in Uganda, and since then they have focused their knowledge on creating tools that help protect the environment, reduce pollution, and cut down on food waste.
Samuel Muyita, managing director of Karpolax, explained to NTVUganda that in previous years fruit buyers rejected between 40% and 50% of all products due to the poor condition in which they arrived as a result of mishandling by farmers or the use of pesticides that were not permitted in some markets.
“Most people want fruit or vegetables that are intact, but when they arrive at their destination, they are not. Karpolar has come to solve this problem and offers enough time for the exporter to transport the product without worrying about it being damaged along the way,” said Muyita.
According to their statements, the bag has a post-harvest treatment designed to extend the shelf life of fresh produce by 7 to 10 days.
Karpolax has been evaluated since 2023 in markets in the Middle East and parts of Asia, and the bag is currently marketed in the United Arab Emirates. However, it has not yet managed to penetrate the European Union market.
More benefits related to Karpolax
Currently, the biodegradable bag works in conjunction with one hundred local farmers, twenty exporters, and 250 local market vendors. In addition, Karpolax, according to UNICEF, prevented the waste of one million tons of fruits and vegetables and allowed 250,000 people to access these foods each year.
“Few people are concerned with extending the support that is needed, and that is one of the things our ecosystem can do better. If this invention is successful, Uganda could finally close the gap with its neighbors (Tanzania and Kenya),” said Muyita.
SOURCES:
EL NACIONAL, June 20, 2025
