ECO-guardians : waste warriors of Uganda

Abstract

Eco-Guardians: Waste Warriors of Uganda is an offline mobile educational game developed to teach children aged 4 to 18 about waste management through interactive gameplay in a 3D Ugandan market environment. Addressing the challenge of waste accumulation in Uganda’s markets due to limited sorting infrastructure, the game empowers young players to learn sustainable practices, such as waste categorization, sorting, and safety, using any compatible Android (9.0+, 3GB RAM) or Windows (10+, 4 GB RAM) device. Built in Unity 6 with C# scripts, the game features two levels: a tutorial for sorting waste into six categories (Plastics, Organic, Paper, Metal, Glass, Hazardous) and an advanced level with NPC education and truck-based collection. Players navigate via a virtual joystick, interact through action buttons, and access educational content via NPC dialogue pop-ups. Data, including scores, progress, and achievements, is stored locally using PlayerPrefs and JSON files, ensuring accessibility without internet dependency. Developed through iterative Software Requirements Specifications, the project adopted a modular design, with Git version control tracking changes. Testing by developers and friends on low-end devices confirmed reliable performance and no crashes. Distributed via a public GitHub repository, with Google Play Store approval pending and potential Apple App Store expansion, the game is supported through GitHub Issues and a planned email channel. This project delivers an engaging, accessible tool that fosters environmental awareness among young individuals, serving as a model for educational game development in resource-constrained settings