Reykjavík, Iceland — Uganda’s Sandra Namboozo and Samuel Muyita were celebrated on the global stage this week as winners of the Community Healers category in the European Patent Office’s (EPO) 2025 Young Inventors Prize.
The award ceremony, streamed live from Reykjavík, Iceland, recognised their groundbreaking innovation—Karpolax, a plant-based sachet that significantly extends the shelf life of fresh produce.
The invention, which directly tackles food waste and post-harvest losses, has earned the young inventors international acclaim and EUR 20,000 in prize money (EUR 5,000 as finalists and an additional EUR 15,000 as special category winners). Their work was celebrated for its contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), particularly in promoting food security and sustainability.
Karpolax sachets, developed to be low-cost and eco-friendly, are already making a difference in rural farming communities by reducing the spoilage of fruits during storage and transport.
Namboozo’s groundbreaking product is crafted from natural plant compounds, releasing gentle, invisible vapours that effectively slow down ripening and prevent spoilage. It’s a safe and affordable solution that empowers farmers to protect their harvests, even in regions with limited access to cold storage facilities, addressing a crucial lifeline for countless farmers.
Speaking after the announcement, Sandra Namboozo, who also serves at the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), expressed gratitude for the recognition: “This award is a testament to the power of purpose-driven innovation. We created Karpolax to serve communities and empower farmers. Being recognised by the EPO motivates us to keep pushing forward.”
She received this award alongside her colleague, Samuel Muyita, with whom she collaborated on this innovative solution.
The Young Inventors Prize was launched to spotlight inventors aged 30 and under who are shaping the future with impactful solutions. From over 450 global applicants, Namboozo and Muyita were selected among the top 10 finalists—the only team from an African nation to receive such an honour this year.
The ceremony was co-hosted by German youth presenter Benedikt Weber and 13-year-old French student Capucine Auffret, embodying the fresh and youthful spirit of the event. It marked the first time the Young Inventors Prize was held as a standalone event, underscoring the growing importance of youth-led innovation in addressing global challenges.
UNOC and the African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO) both congratulated the duo for their achievement. ARIPO highlighted Uganda’s unique distinction as the only member state represented among the finalists, calling it a major milestone for innovation on the continent.
Their innovation also captured the hearts of the public during the voting phase, affirming strong grassroots support for practical, locally developed solutions.
Special prize winners 2025
World Builders: Marie Perrin (US/France): Recycling rare earth elements from electronic waste
Community Healers: Sandra Namboozo and Samuel Muyita (Uganda): Sachets for extending the shelf life of fruit
Nature Guardians: Neeka Mashouf and Leila Mashouf (US): Process to transform CO2 emissions into essential materials
People’s Choice: Pilar Granado, Pablo Sosa Domínguez and Luis Chimeno (Spain): Smart labels for food
Each Tomorrow Shaper received EUR 5,000, with the special prize winners awarded an additional EUR 15, 000. The People’s Choice winner received a further EUR 5,000. The EPO announced that the European Inventor Award will return in 2026, hosted in Berlin, with nominations now open for inventors advancing progress across Europe and beyond.
About Karpolax:
Karpolax sachets use plant-based compounds to slow down the ripening process of fruits, effectively prolonging freshness without altering taste or quality. Designed with affordability and accessibility in mind, the solution is tailored to the needs of small-scale farmers in developing countries.
