Nawaguna Tabo Samalie, a climate, plastic, and waste management advocate from Uganda, is reshaping how we think about pollution - not just as an environmental issue, but as a matter of health, justice, and human dignity.

Her vision is bold and necessary: an Africa where environmental justice is no longer the struggle but the standard.

What drives her work is not just the plastic and waste itself, but the communities affected most especially children. She knows that until the systems creating the crisis are addressed, the burden will remain on those who didn’t cause it.

Through the #MyPieceForChange campaign, we invite people to share their unique contributions to collective transformation. This series exists to honor their stories, amplify their voices, and connect them with a wider community of like-minded peers. Today, we’re honored to introduce our Changeworker of the Week: Nawaguna Tabo Samalie whom we had the pleasure of interviewing for this special spotlight.

What’s your piece for change?

My vision is an Africa where environmental justice is the standard, not the struggle.

What inspired you to begin this work or stay committed to it?

What pushed me into this work was seeing how plastic and waste pollution affect everyday people, especially children. Over time, I realised that if we don’t speak up and act, nothing will change. Knowing that some communities are carrying the weight of a problem they didn’t create is what keeps me going.

What’s one hope or vision you hold for the future?

 I hope for communities that are clean, safe, and healthy, where people don’t have to fight for basic environmental rights.

What support or connection are you currently looking for?

I’m open to connecting with people and organisations working in plastic and waste management, environmental justice and community-led climate work. Partnerships that strengthen what we’re already doing would be really helpful.

What’s one thing about your field or topic you wish more people knew, considered, or acted on?

Waste isn’t just about dirt or cleanliness. It affects health, climate, livelihoods, and dignity. If we take waste seriously, we shall solve several problems at once.

What practices, tools, or resources have supported you most on your changework journey?

I’ve learned a lot from systems thinking, community engagement work, and the guidance of people who have been in this space longer than me. Books, documentaries, and conversations with experienced leaders have also shaped my understanding.

Can you share a moment or experience that deeply shaped the way you approach change today?

Spending time with children during some of our environmental projects really changed me. Hearing them confidently talk about climate issues and seeing how much they understand made me realise how urgent this work is. Their honesty and courage humbled me.

What collective shift do you believe is needed for meaningful change to happen, and what gives you hope that it’s possible?

We need to move from reacting to problems to actually fixing systems that create these problems. What gives me hope is seeing more young people stepping into this work and refusing to accept things as they are.

How do you take care of your own energy or wellbeing while doing this work?

Prayer helps me a lot. I also take time to rest, be in nature, and reconnect with myself. Talking to people who understand the work also keeps me grounded.

Where can people learn more about your work or connect with you?

Connect via Instagram @nawaguna_tabo_samalie or on LinkedIn Nawaguna Tabo Samalie

The Parayma community is rooted in authentic, supportive relationships. 

Nawaguna Tabo Samalie’s work reminds us that environmental justice is inseparable from health, dignity, and equity and that waste is a doorway to deeper systems change.

If you’re working in community-based climate action, plastic justice, or waste reform, consider reaching out to collaborate!

✨ Thank you, Nawaguna Tabo Samalie for sharing your #PieceForChange and for showing us that environmental justice must begin at the roots.

Stay tuned for next week’s Changeworker feature, and if you’d like to be highlighted, join the campaign and tick the box to express your interest.