NELSON K
Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), a governmental organization, in partnership with Buyanja Sacco, has today tipped Sacco members and Ugandans on how to make briquettes from organic waste as an alternative fuel source, promoting environmental conservation and sustainable energy practices.
The training program, which was held at Buyanja Subcounty headquarters in Rukungiri District, aimed at equipping individuals with the skills to produce and market briquettes, fostering economic opportunities and environmental responsibility.
According to Kasaga Robert, the KOICA Club of Uganda president, the initiative is one way of addressing environmental degradation, especially tree cutting. In this program, briquettes are made out of charcoal dust, cassava flour, and wood dust, which at least reduces the amount of tree cutting and hence conserves the environment.
He asked members of Buyanja Sacco and the community to embrace this idea and even teach others so that they can all gain from it, because it not only conserves the environment but also can help them earn a living after selling the briquettes.
Nayebare Kellen Musinguzi, the KOICA Club of Uganda treasurer, noted that this initiative also aims at educating people on how they can make briquettes and earn from them for the development of their homesteads.
She noted that these briquettes, made from materials like food scraps and agricultural waste, help reduce deforestation and reliance on traditional charcoal, offering a more sustainable option for cooking and heating.
The training programs focus on all Ugandans, including those in slums, roadsides, and markets, utilizing organic waste and reducing their dependence on firewood, contributing to deforestation prevention.
Kellen added that this training empowers individuals to start briquette-making businesses, providing income and livelihood opportunities.
Training includes not only briquette-making but also the fabrication of briquette machines and solar dryers to improve production efficiency, and some of the machines were left with Buyanja Sacco to help more people in Rukungiri use and learn from them so that the campaign’s goal is fulfilled.
She hailed Buyanja Sacco management for partnering with them in this campaign, urging many people to form groups, learn, and spread the message to everyone for the goal of saving the environment by reducing tree cutting and even making briquettes for money.
Olive Nayebare, General Manager of Buyanja Sacco, hailed the KOICA Club of Uganda team for sparing their time to train Sacco members and give them developmental knowledge that will help them earn a living and conserve the environment.
She said that this idea of making briquettes will be an alternative to firewood and charcoal, which have been causing pollution and sometimes climate change, resulting in floods and many other hazards.
She said members gained skills and are now able to go and teach others in their villages so that this can keep going, since it benefits people.
She hailed the government of Uganda for partnering with the government of Korea for this initiative, noting that Ugandans will benefit a lot without even putting in a lot of money.
She called on Sacco members to form groups and make use of the machines that were left at Buyanja Sacco for practicing, so that the skill of making briquettes can reach the grassroots.
