Uganda’s Charcoal Crisis and Waste-to-Energy Potential

Uganda faces a significant challenge in converting waste into energy, as the demand for charcoal remains high. Daily, chainsaws and axes are used to cut down trees to meet the needs of Ugandans who rely heavily on charcoal for cooking.

The current market price for a sack of charcoal is Shs 120,000, highlighting its economic importance. However, this reliance has created difficult choices for families, such as whether to purchase charcoal for cooking or books for children.

Experts suggest that transforming garbage into charcoal and utilizing waste-to-energy methods could offer a sustainable solution. This approach would not only address the charcoal demand but also reduce environmental impact by repurposing waste materials.