Biochar briquettes could protect public health and the environment in Uganda. With trials in progress, KRC is already talking to the local city council about bringing this affordable, alternative fuel to market.

Clean, affordable fuel is in short supply in Uganda where the population depends heavily on firewood and charcoal for household cooking. Now, with the BIO4Africa densification trials underway, collaboration between Kabarole Research & Resource Centre (KRC) and Fort Portal city council could provide a blueprint for solving several challenges in one.

Just as in many other parts of Africa, the reliance on firewood and charcoal has far-reaching consequences for public health and the environment. Indoor air pollution from smoke is associated with an increased risk of respiratory and heart disease. Outside, Uganda has lost more than 25% of its forests since 1990[1], releasing significant CO2 emissions. Fuel prices are rising as wood for charcoal production becomes scarce.

A cleaner and cheaper alternative
Pilot trials at the KRC test site in Fort Portal are investigating a cleaner, cheaper alternative. Using densification technology, biochar is being converted into briquettes for use as solid fuel. The biochar is produced from empty maize cobs, supplied by local farmers.

Watch the video
Mohammed Shariff tells more about the briquetting trials and city council collaboration in this video.

BIO4Africa has enabled investment in a new briquetting machine for the trials, with a capacity of one tonne of briquettes an hour. As fuel for household stoves, biochar briquettes are an efficient heat source, producing significantly less harmful smoke than wood or charcoal.

Valorising farm and urban waste
Following talks with Fort Portal city council, KRC is now exploring the possibility to produce biochar briquettes from a combination of farm and urban waste. If successful, the council has agreed in principle to integrate briquette production in city waste management. KRC director Mohammed Shariff expects up to 30% of household waste can be recycled in this way.

As trials move on, CIRAD and RAGT Energie will analyse the density, safety and efficiency of briquette samples to support quality optimisation. Discussions are also in progress to identify a beneficial means of combining the briquetting facility with the BIO4Africa pilot green biorefinery located nearby.

Once trials are complete, KRC will continue working with the city council to bring the briquettes to market. The goal is to make cleaner fuel accessible at an affordable price.