Beyond Charcoal

A Just Transition to Sustainable Biomass Energy

in Rural Uganda

COMMENTARY

By Dr. Oluwole Olusegun Akiyode

Kampala, Uganda

Uganda’s heavy reliance on wood fuel and charcoal is not just an energy issue—it is a deep-rooted socio-environmental challenge that touches every aspect of rural life. As someone deeply concerned about sustainability, social equity, and climate resilience, I believe it is time we reimagine Uganda’s energy future—beyond charcoal. This reimagining must be grounded in the principles of a just transition: one that centers local livelihoods, gender equity, and ecological restoration.

Why This Matters to Me

Over 90% of rural Uganda depend on firewood or charcoal, the impacts are stark [1]. The country loses approximately 120,000 hectares of forest cover annually, much of it to fuelwood harvesting [2]. This not only depletes biodiversity and carbon sinks but also disrupts local microclimates and increases vulnerability to climate change.

What concerns me even more is how normalized this situation has become. Charcoal and wood fuel may be seen as “cheap” and “convenient,” but their hidden costs—deforestation, respiratory illnesses, lost educational opportunities—are staggering.

Socially, the burden of wood fuel extraction falls disproportionately on women and children. In rural Uganda, women often spend hours collecting firewood, limiting their time for education, economic activities, and rest. Moreover, the use of open fires and traditional stoves exposes households to harmful smoke, contributing to respiratory illnesses and increasing healthcare costs.

Economically, while the charcoal trade provides livelihoods for many, it is largely informal, inefficient, and environmentally degrading. The “charcoal economy” tends to benefit middlemen over producers, perpetuating cycles of poverty in producer communities. With urban demand for charcoal growing rapidly, the unsustainable harvesting practices are pushing forest resources to a tipping point. We cannot afford to treat this as business as usual.

A Just Transition: What I Envision

To move forward, we must adopt a just transition framework—an approach that recognizes the complexities of change and puts people at the center of the solution. For me, this means three things:

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How to cite this paper:  Akiyode, O. O. (2025). Beyond Charcoal: A Just Transition to Sustainable Biomass Energy in Rural Uganda, PM World Journal, Vol. XIX, Issue VI, June.   Available online at https://pmworldlibrary.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/pmwj153-Jun2025-Akiyode-Beyond-Charcoal-commentary.pdf

About the Author

Dr. Oluwole Olusegun Akiyode

Kampala, Uganda

Dr. Oluwole Olusegun Akiyode is a lecturer and Head of Department of the Biological & Environmental Sciences in the Kampala International University, Kampala, Uganda. His university teaching has given him the opportunity to train the next generation sustainable environmental management procedures with emphasis on global environmental issues. He is a repute researcher whose works are multi and interdisciplinary in nature interrelating the concepts of environment and sustainable development with the sole intent of societal development.

Dr. Akiyode holds a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) degree in Biochemistry from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Master in Environmental Management (MEM) degree from the University of Lagos, Nigeria, Masters of Arts (MA) degree in Environmental Security & Peace from the UN-mandated University for Peace, San Jose, Costa Rica and a PhD in Geography from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa. He has more than 35 publications in reputable peer reviewed journals and has presented several papers in conferences on issues that included water security, sustainable urban management, environmental security, climate resilience and climate change. His contributions consistently advocate sustainable policies that would encourage environmental sustainability and security, thereby contributing to the advancement of the society

Dr. Oluwole O. Akiyode can be reached at oluwole.akiyode@kiu.ac.ug, or woleakiyode@gmail.com