Assessing the Catastrophic Cost of Charcoal Production to Uganda’s Forests and Biodiversity
The widespread and largely unsustainable production of charcoal in Uganda stands as one of the most pressing threats to the nation's rich biodiversity and forest ecosystems. Driven by a rapidly expanding urban population and a lack of affordable clean energy, the country's reliance on biomass has pushed its natural habitats to the brink of collapse. Over the last two decades, Uganda has experienced a staggering loss of approximately 1.2 million hectares of forest cover representing nearly 87% of its natural primary forests. This massive ecological depletion compromises localized microclimates and causes irreversible damage to iconic wild habitats. It also threatens endangered wildlife species and the delicate balance of ecosystems that support millions of Ugandans. Pic : Degraded forest due to charcoal burning To understand the scale of forest degradation in Uganda, one must examine the country’s energy matrix. More than 90% of Ugandan households rely on wood fuels...