BY SAMUEL NABWIISO
A new survey indicates that Uganda produces a total of 2.1 million tons of charcoal annually, implying that over 80,000 hectares of forests are lost.
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| Bags of charcoal ready for market such business is fueling global warming |
According to the reports from the National Charcoal Survey carried out in 2016 and released recently by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development under the Green charcoal project, it warns that if the rate at which the country’s natural resources is being harvested is not contained, this will expose Uganda more to effects of global warming.
In the report, it was discovered that more Ugandans are depending on biomass as source of energy for cooking, with districts in cattle corridors such as Nakasongola, Kiboga, and Kiryandongo being the leading producers of charcoal among other districts in the cattle corridor.
The survey placed Kampala as the main source for charcoal market because of the increasing demand for charcoal due to the high population.
Green charcoal project Manager Simon Weledwongo said more action needs to be taken if the country is to be protected from global warming.
“The cattle corridor districts are where most charcoal burning business is thriving and you will realize in the report that most of the charcoal being burnt is bought in Kampala. That means that a lot needs to be done to ensure that while charcoal is being burnt, the process does not affects the country’s environment,” he said.
The report also faulted on charcoal burners who are accused of using traditional and backwards means of burning charcoal, despite the fact that the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development in partnership with United Nations Development program introduced new technology for charcoal burning through the Green charcoal project.
Under the green charcoal project, government introduced the new charcoal conversion kiln that is up to 40 percent more efficient in converting wood to charcoal.
The technology is being piloted in some charcoal burning districts but some burners have not embraced it, the report said.
The report, on its part calls for government to ensure that people have access to clean energy if the country’s natural resources are to be protected.
Currently the number of Uganda’s accessing clean energy is still lower due to factors rising from high connectivity fee.
Another issue is that some districts are not yet connected on the national grid; this leaves the locals with no option, especially those in urban centers to resort to charcoal as their main source of Energy for Cooking.
But, according to environmentalists, overdepending on biomass fuels has negative impacts on the environment because it affects the ozone layer which leads to global warming.
In its Sector performing reports, the Ministry of Water and Environment has been warning that the country’s forests cover both under central and private management have been highly depleted due to the high demand for wood products, in the country.
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