Project Title: – Youths Economic Empowerment through Institutional Briquettes Making
Project Partner: – Rotary Club of Kampala Ssese Islands
Area of focus: – Community Economic Development
– Supporting Environment
Project Location: – Wakiso District, Uganda
Project duration: – 3 Years (2021 – 2023)
Background and Project justification
Uganda grapples with a serious challenge of youth unemployment. According to 2012 Uganda
Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) report, the share of unemployed youth (national definition, 18-30
years) among the total unemployed persons in the country was 64 percent. To compound the
problem, Uganda has one of the youngest and fastest growing population rates in the world
with its fertility rate of 3%. It is not surprising that 75% of the Ugandan population is below
the age of 30 years. Coupled with the fact that the current Uganda job market can absorb only
8,000 out the more than 40,000 young graduates from universities annually, a stronger focus
on job creation for this group of people cannot be overemphasized. Today, more and more
youths are now channelling their energies into ‘sports betting’ and other forms of gambling, and
experts have raised apprehensions about Uganda’s youth bulge warning that failure to channel
its energy into productive ventures through gainful employment can turn out to be a poisoned
chalice. Causes of youth unemployment in Uganda range from an inadequate
investment/supply side of jobs; insufficient employable skills to high rates of labour force
growth at 4.7 percent per annum. Kampala and Wakiso districts have the highest number of
unemployed youth in Uganda.
Additionally, as with most developing countries, Uganda relies heavily on fuel wood for
cooking. Fuel wood in Uganda accounts for over 90 per cent of energy consumption. Wood
use is predominantly through inefficient and wasteful three-stone fires. Schools (over 50,000),
prison units (253) and brick-making kilns are the biggest firewood consumers in the country;
using close to one million tons annually. Fuel wood use has put unsustainable pressure on the
country’s forest cover leading to massive deforestation. According to recent statistics from
FAO, Uganda loses approximately 2.4% of its forest cover annually; the use of firewood being
one of the major causes. The continued use of wood fuel and charcoal has seen the country’s
forest cover decline from 5m hectares in 1990 to below 3m hectares today, and according to
experts, if allowed to continue, this practice will have far-reaching effects on soil, food security
and health of many Ugandans. The growing population and the increasing cost of cleaner
alternatives like solar, LPG and electricity only compound the problem.
This project seeks to support and facilitate 100 youths in Wakiso district to produce carbonized
briquettes for institutional cooking as a business and an alternative to fuel wood. The briquettes
will be made from agro-wastes and municipal bio-waste (food residues and market waste).
With a population of 1,997,418 (2014 population and housing census), over 700 schools, a
multitude of factories and several prison units; and its close proximity to 5 agricultural districts
and the capital city (Kampala), Wakiso district has an excellent presence of both raw materials and markets for briquettes. Besides, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) dumpsite of
waste is located at Kitezi in Wakiso district. For instance, Kampala City alone generates about
1,200 – 1,500 tonnes of garbage daily. There are also vast quantities of agriculture residues
available in the above 5 districts suitable for briquetting. The market potential for briquettes in
institutions in the Wakiso is estimated at 50,000 tonnes per month.
The strength of the proposed project lies in the successful experience and findings from a pilot
business model by Ndejje University at St Kizito High School in Namugongo. This pilot model
has successfully demonstrated that there are good business prospects for briquette production
for institutional use; and that briquettes offer between 15% to 30% cost savings because their
moisture content is low and they require very little handling unlike wood that requires splitting
and drying. It is also important to note that fuel wood is also becoming increasingly difficult to
get, particularly in large volumes as required by schools and prisons.
Project Benefits
The proposed project will achieve significant environmental, economic and social benefits.
Through the introduction of ecological briquettes, the project will reduce demand for wood
fuel by schools, prisons and some factories which will in turn lower the destruction of forests;
and lessen Carbon dioxide emissions. Additionally, the project will directly create jobs for 100
youths (in 10 groups) and support indirectly other jobs, mostly for women and youth who will
be involved in the collection and sorting of municipal waste. The utilisation of municipal solid
waste would lead to remarkable budgetary savings by KCCA due to reductions in the amount
of solid waste that would need to be carried to the dumpsites. It is estimated that KCCA spends
US$1.5m per month to remove just 40% of the waste generated. Furthermore, the project would
reduce environmental damage and reduce leachate (runoff from landfill sites) contamination
of local water supplies. Respiratory complications associated with cooking in a smoky
environment will also be reduced. Additionally, the households where garbage will be collected
will benefit from improved health and sanitary conditions. The project will have an added
advantage of replication and up scaling as apportion of the project funds will be used as a rotating
credit facility. Also, the project will become a demonstration site that will be visited by other
youths. This will facilitate the replication of the projects results by other youths in the country.
Project Objectives
The project goal is to introduce institutional briquette making as alternative energy sources to
the use of wood fuel; and to demonstrate this technology as a potential solution to address
deforestation and climate change while improving the livelihoods of the community.
The specific objectives are: –
a. To provide 10 youth groups with briquette making equipment for institutional cooking
b. To engage 500 youths in meaningful employment by supporting and skilling them in
producing institutional cooking briquettes and making briquette-based cook stoves
c. To reduce use of wood fuel and charcoal by producing briquettes as an alternative
cooking fuel in institutions
d. To reduce municipal bio-waste by converting it into briquettes and organic fertilizers. Project Beneficiaries
a. 500 youths (10 youth groups) who will get briquette making equipment
b. Women and other youths who will get jobs/an income through collecting and sorting
municipal waste
c. Coffee millers and carpenters who will get an additional income for the supply of solid
waste (coffee husks and saw dust)
d. Farmers in neighbouring districts of Nakaseke, Mpigi, Mukono, Luwero and Mityana
who will get an additional income from agricultural residues and farm waste
e. Residents of Kampala city where garbage will be collected will benefit through
improved sanitation and hygiene
f. Residents of Kitezi will benefit from reduced leachate contamination of local water
supplies
g. Schools, prisons and factories would save up to15% on their current fuel expenditure
h. Kampala Capital City Authority would save money on collection, transportation and
disposal of garbage
i. Uganda Government. The value of recycled products such as plastic and tins would
contribute to saving foreign exchange required to import them
Project Activities
a. Identification of entrepreneurial youth groups to participate in the project
b. Sensitization/Awareness raising activities on environmental issues (incl. advocacy for
environmental sustainability) and waste management (incl. need to use protective
clothing by the waste pickers/sorters to minimise the health risks and vaccinations
against tetanus and TB)
c. Training and skilling the youth to instill technical, entrepreneurial and managerial skills
(recycling of bio-waste into briquettes, manufacturing briquettes, making and
installation of briquette-based institutional stoves, markets identification, integrating
briquettes making with eco-based farming (nursery trees and vegetable growing) etc.)
d. Identification of strategic locations for briquettes making and setting up premises
e. Provision and setting up of briquette making equipment
Expected Results
a. Mitigation of deforestation. Reduction in demand for wood fuel by schools, prisons and
brick makers will lower the destruction of forests and environmental degradation.
b. Increased jobs and livelihood opportunities for youths and women. Besides, the project
will contribute towards strengthening associated local businesses through generating
employment and incomes
c. Increased awareness of environmental sustainability, waste management, global
warming and greenhouse gas emission by youth
d. Reduction in energy expenditures. Institutions will accrue remarkable savings due to
reductions in the amount of wood fuel needed to cook meals.
e. Reduced piles of municipal waste and reduced municipal budgets for waste handling
f. Improved sanitation and hygiene for residents where garbage will be collected from
g. Reduction in health problems. Use of briquettes will reduce the negative health
problems due to indoor air pollution caused by smoke
h. Capacity building in the production, installation and maintenance/service of
institutional briquette-based cook stoves by youthi. Reduction in emission of greenhouse gases which cause global warming
j. Improved availability of organic pesticides and fertilizers from briquettes ash and bio
char will lead to reduced dependence on chemicals
Budget Estimates
Based on 500 youths (10 groups, each constituting 50 youths)
Particulars Unit cost/ day Amount
in USD
1 Orientation, sensitization and
training workshops; business teams
formation
500 youths (50 @ team X 10
teams) x 5 days
3850 19,250
2 Constructing operational premises 10 carbonizers 3850 38,500
10 driers 7700 77000
10 production units 7700 77000
3 Briquettes making equipments 10 crushers 1925 19,250
10 extruders 2700 27,000
4 Start-up operational capital 10 groups 1925 19,250
5 Project administrative costs incl.
M&E
8,000
Total 278,050
Project Partner
Rotary
Rotary is an international service organisation whose main purpose is to serve others,
promote integrity, and advance goodwill and peace around the world. Rotary was founded
in 1905 in Chicago, USA by Paul Harris. Rotary International is the head office for Rotary and
it is headquartered in Evanston, USA. Rotary is made up of more than 36,000 Rotary Clubs
in over 200 countries and geographical locations. The members of these autonomous clubs
are called Rotarians and they form a global network of more than 1.2 million business and
professional leaders, all volunteering their time, talent and other resources to serve their
communities and the world. Rotary is a non-political and non-sectarian organization. Rotary
motto is Service Above Self.
The Rotary Club of Kampala Ssese Islands (RCKSI)
The Rotary Club of Kampala Ssese Islands (RCKSI) was chartered (admitted by Rotary) in
1991. It is the second biggest Rotary Club in Uganda and District 9211, and the 7th largest
Rotary Club in Africa. It has a membership of 102 (60 men and 42 women). It meets for
fellowship every Thursday 6-7pm at Pearl Restaurant, Nommo Gallery Nakasero.
Contact Information
David Rogers Kintu
+256772445995davidkintu@yahoo.co
2023-03-08