With charcoal prices hitting record highs and making it harder for families and small businesses to cook, one man in Mbale has found an eco-friendly and affordable solution—right in his backyard.
Once a staple in almost every home, charcoal has now become a luxury. A bag that cost just Shs50,000 in 2022 now goes for more than Shs100,000.
The sharp rise follows an executive order by President Museveni restricting commercial tree cutting particularly targeting deforestation hotspots in Northern Uganda and Karamoja.
Previously, these regions were major suppliers of charcoal to town in central and eastern Uganda.
The move, part of a national effort to fight deforestation has significantly disrupted the charcoal supply chain.
Enforcement operations including road checks have tightened, and many traders now resort to smuggling small quantities often at great risk to bypass authorities.
Charcoal had always been the go-to source of fuel in Gorret Muzaki’s home and many others around her but lately charcoal became scarce.
“Charcoal which went for 2000 is now 4000 and it is not even enough to take you through the day”
Moses Waiswa, a resident of Namakwekwe in Northern Division, Mbale City, is turning charcoal dust—normally discarded as waste—into fuel-efficient briquettes, helping cut costs for homes and restaurants while conserving the environment.
“Charcoal is now too expensive for many people. I realized I could turn what others throw away into something useful,” Waiswa said as he sits beside neatly piled stacks of briquettes, compressed blocks of recycled charcoal dust and natural binders like starch and clay
Using an electric compressor, Waiswa shapes a mix of charcoal dust, starch, ash, and clay into small round briquettes.
After drying for three days, they're ready for cooking and are now a common sight in his compound—neatly arranged like decorative flowers.
He produces the equivalent of 16 bags of charcoal from 8 bags of charcoal dust, offsetting the need to cut down trees.
Waiswa shared his dream to expand and upgrade his production line to recycle all forms of waste into energy.
“I hope to get a waste carbonizer, especially now that even charcoal dust might soon be hard to find," he added.
The innovation is gaining attention among local food vendors and households, who report that the briquettes are smoke-free, long-lasting, and more affordable than regular charcoal.
“They smoke free and they burn longer, and we no longer have to spend as much on fuel,” said Anna Muzaki a chef at a local restaurant.
“They are efficient and last longer compared to ordinary charcoal” a domestic user added.
Beyond its environmental benefits, the small-scale industry is also generating employment opportunities. Waiswa works with a team of youths and women and has created a new market for starch, which is used as a binding agent.
What’s more surprising is the source of his inspiration—a social media video.
“I saw a video on how briquettes are made and decided to give it a try. Many people just scroll through content, but some of it can be life-changing,” Waiswa said.
With forests under threat and energy costs rising, Waiswa’s innovation offers a sustainable and scalable solution—a shining example of how local ideas, powered by digital knowledge, can lead to impactful change.