Charcoal - Income Source v Environmental Concern

In the West Nile, the fort or tree cover is under increasing threat from charcoal makers. In recent years, there region has identified new markets for charcoal in Southern Sudan. As a result many people in the districts of Arua, Koboko and Yumbe are cashing in on the trade. A bag of charcoal in Southern Sudan is sold for 40,000 shillings, four times what it costs in Uganda.

However, whilst this trade is an additional and welcome source of income for families that would otherwise be dependent on subsistence farming there is a downside. The trade is leading to widespread felling of trees for charcoal has increased throughout the West Nile, which is unmonitored and has no regard to the impact of the loss of tree cover on the micro-climate and the impact on soil conditions.

Ugandan charcoal makers have an advantage over their counterparts across the border because of years of experience on how exactly to make the biofuel in order to maximize profits. One Arua-based charcoal trader has been reported as stating that the brisk business with South Sudan has enabled him to build his own house and pay school fees for all his children.

Traditional charcoal burning

Sacks of prepared charcoal ready for sale

Use of charcoal is linked to degradation of forests and woodland resources as well as widespread soil erosion. According to the National Environment Management Authority, Uganda has lost more than 50% of its forest cover in the past 30 years. Part of the reason for this is deforestation for charcoal production.

Earlier in 2016, the West Nile District Councils united to introduce legislation which make charcoal production as a commercial business illegal. It remains to be seen how successful this ban will be ...