How Zerubabel Kwebiiha Junior Built Reclaim Into a Multi-Million Plastic Recycling Business inUganda

In this episode of CEO Insights Uganda, we talk to Zerubabel Kwebiiha Junior, the visionary Founder and CEO of Reclaim. His company is leading the charge in plastic waste collection, recycling, and sustainability across Uganda. Junior brings a wealth of experience to this critical mission. With a 20-year corporate career that includes leadership positions at MTN Uganda, EzeeMoney, and driving financial inclusion initiatives with the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), Junior is now channeling his expertise into tackling one of Uganda's most pressing environmental and economic challenges: transforming plastic waste into viable business opportunities. Today, Junior spearheads Reclaim's rapidly expanding recovery and processing operations, working in close partnership with Crown Beverages Limited (the bottlers of Pepsi in Uganda). From collecting plastic across both urban and rural areas to processing it for reuse and securing deals with regional and international off-takers, he's building a circular value chain. This innovative approach not only converts pollution into profit but also creates sustainable livelihoods. We dive deep into entrepreneurship, systems design, the hurdles of funding, and why scaling a sustainability business in Africa demands both unwavering vision and remarkable resilience. Whether your interest lies in understanding how plastic waste is collected and processed in Uganda, learning the intricacies of building a recycling company, or discovering how corporate lessons translate into successful entrepreneurship, this episode is a true masterclass in transforming experience for a greater purpose. You can reach Junior on +256772212085. *Are you a Business Owner, Corporate Leader, or someone with a story others need to hear? We would love to feature you on our show! Contact us today via WhatsApp at +1 469 278 1138 or call +256 704 233 306.* *BUY ME COFFEE* https://buymeacoffee.com/supportceoinsightsuganda *Episode Chapters* 00:00 Intro 03:10 What Reclaim does 06:10 How he got into plastic recycling 11:55 Day-to-day operations 30:49 Funding outlook 51:30 Market positioning 54:28 Crown Beverages relationship 59:18 Plastic waste off-takers 1:01:50 Relationship with waste pickers 1:36:39 What it takes to set up a collection hub 1:46:48 Operational numbers 2:01:08 Partnerships 2:08:20 Grounding 2:20:00 Investors 2:22:58 Advice for corporate employees 2:34:40 Proudest moment *Enjoyed the show? Leave us a quick Google Review by clicking this link: https://g.page/r/CafSlD2tp1QZEAI/review. It helps us grow and reach more inspiring leaders.* CEO Insights Uganda with Herbert Rwabugahya is Uganda's number one business podcast. As the most watched and fastest growing Ugandan podcast, it continues to dominate the charts across YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and every major streaming platform. Consistently ranked as the best podcast in Uganda, CEO Insights Uganda brings the country’s vibrant business and leadership landscape to life through powerful storytelling, raw success stories, and real-life insights that inspire action. At its core, CEO Insights Uganda is not just a podcast—it is the voice of Uganda’s transformation. Each week, host Herbert Rwabugahya engages in compelling, unfiltered conversations with Uganda’s most influential CEOs, startup founders, policymakers, investors, creatives, and visionaries. These are not scripted interviews; they are immersive dialogues that peel back the curtain on the innovations, failures, comebacks, leadership decisions, and strategic pivots that are shaping Uganda’s future. From Kampala to Gulu, from the diaspora to the boardroom, CEO Insights Uganda stands unmatched as Uganda’s number one business podcast for meaningful, relevant, and motivational content. Whether you’re searching for a “Uganda podcast,” “top Ugandan podcast on YouTube,” “Kampala business podcasts,” “East African entrepreneurship podcast,” or “CEO interviews Uganda,” this is the show that consistently delivers. If you’ve ever looked up content like the Lynn Ngugi Show, The Diary of a CEO podcast, The Ugandan Boy Talk Show, or wanted to know how to start a business in Uganda, you’ve now found your ultimate destination. CEO Insights Uganda is where Uganda’s best ideas meet Uganda’s brightest minds, creating a platform that educates, challenges, and empowers its listeners in every episode. Our topics span across the most pressing and exciting sectors today—technology and innovation, public health leadership, political transformation, real estate investing in Uganda, agribusiness, youth entrepreneurship, cultural preservation, finance and banking, investment opportunities in Uganda, and beyond. CEO Insights Uganda podcast is especially tailored for audiences both inside and outside Uganda who are curious about the nation’s development path, leadership evolution, and business potential.