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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 up to 15% 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 CO2 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 100 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. 100 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 youth
I. 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
1. Orientation, sensitization and training workshops; business teams formation US$ 19,250
2. Constructing operational premises
a. 10 carbonizers @3850 US$ 38,500
b. 10 driers @7700 US$ 77,000
c. 10 production units @7700 US$ 77,000
3. Briquettes making equipment
a. 10 crushers @ 1925 US$ 19,250
b. 10 extruders @ 2700 US$ 27,000
4. Start-up operational capital for 10 groups @1925 US$ 19,250
5. Project administrative costs incl. M&E US$ 8,000
Total US$278,050
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