Interim FAO Country Representative, Yergalem Beraki has commended the EU for its unwavering support in addressing the rising demand for biomass and mitigating the effects of climate change. He warned the grave challenges ahead, projecting that by 2050.
This was in Kampala at a high-level Lessons and Knowledge Sharing Event under the theme: “10+ Years of Forest and Climate Action in Uganda” organised by the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) in partnership with the European Union (EU).
Beraki has said that FAO has contributed to the development of many people in the country and their well-being by providing food to some people in villages, planting trees so as to reclaim the lost forests and improving technology that can be used to help people in cooking by providing energy saving stoves, and water harvesting systems, among others.
“The insights shared today must act as a catalyst for broader transformation,” Beraki urged, calling for continued innovation and collaboration to ensure access to clean cooking, climate-resilient agriculture, and the restoration of forests and wetlands.
Leonidas Hitimana, FAO’s Head of Forestry, presented detailed outcomes of FAO’s interventions in Uganda’s energy and forestry sectors.
He noted that only 5% of Ugandan households currently use clean energy, with many urban dwellers relying on charcoal.
“In response, the FAO has spearheaded projects to manage charcoal production sustainably, focusing on restoring degraded private forests and promoting high-calorific tree species,” Hitimana said.
More than 200 Ugandans have been trained by FAO to improve charcoal production techniques and introduced the kazamasi kiln, boosting carbonation efficiency from 10% to as high as 50%. As a result, over 2,000 hectares of degraded forest have been restored, surpassing the initial 500-hectare target, and an additional 3,000 hectares of woodlots have been established.
The organization also piloted a charcoal certification scheme to trace the origin of raw materials and ensure environmental standards.
FAO has distributed LPG kits to 700 teachers in Arua, Gulu, and Luwero to prevent depending on using charcoal that leads to excess cutting of trees.
Dr Phosiso Sola Senior Scientist has said that something must be done to protect the environment through planting of more trees and those who cut trees must be advised to plant more.
In addition, she highlighted many people in Africa depend on firewood to cook but should be helped to have alternative options to use while cooking and at a cheaper cost because some.
In conclusion, Sola appreciated FAO for training people in the Villages methods of making charcoal from timber remains something she says is very good in conservation of the environment .
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