Kampala’s AirTech Startups Take Aim at the City’s Smog Problem
Kampala, Uganda Kampala’s skyline might glow beautifully at sunset, but behind the golden haze lies a public health threat. Recent studies by Makerere University and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) show the capital’s air quality levels frequently exceed World Health Organization (WHO) limits. Now, a wave of local innovators is harnessing technology to measure, map, and mitigate air pollution — one neighborhood at a time.
Mapping the Invisible Enemy
One of the most promising initiatives comes from AirQo, a Ugandan innovation born out of Makerere University’s College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology. Using low-cost air sensors installed on buildings, boda bodas, and public vehicles, AirQo provides real-time air-quality data through its mobile app and website.
“We cannot fix what we can’t measure,” said Dr. Engineer Bainomugisha, AirQo’s founder. “Our goal is to make data visible, local, and useful — from schoolchildren to city planners.”
AirQo’s network now spans 25 districts across Uganda and is expanding into Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania under the Clean Air Africa initiative. The data informs policies on transport emissions, industrial zoning, and waste burning.
From Data to Action
AirQo is joined by Ecoplan Uganda, a tech startup developing affordable air purifiers for schools and clinics using activated-carbon filters made from local coconut shells. The innovation — still in pilot — costs under 30% of imported equivalents.
Meanwhile, Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA) has partnered with mobility firms to test cleaner two-wheel transport options, including e-bikes and electric boda bodas. The goal is to reduce fossil-fuel emissions while creating green jobs.
“Our city’s health depends on our design choices,” said Sharifah Buzeki, Executive Director of KCCA. “We are shifting from reactive enforcement to proactive innovation.”
Challenges & Next Steps
Despite progress, challenges remain: funding for sensor maintenance, unreliable electricity for device networks, and limited public awareness of the health effects of air pollution. AirQo and partners are pushing for inclusion of air-quality monitoring in Uganda’s national climate and health strategies.
As Kampala moves toward becoming a “smart city,” clean air is fast becoming a cornerstone — and local tech entrepreneurs are ensuring the solutions come from within.
