Charcoal Trade and Bush Burning in Ecosystems and Livelihoods - Northern Uganda
Table of Contents
1.Executive summary
2.Metholodology
3.Background and context
4.Findings and Analysis
4.1 Deforestation and Woodland depletion
5.Livelihood and Social Vulnerability
6.Case Studies
6.1 Gulu District
6.2 Nwoya District
6.3Amuru and Lamwo District
6.4 Arua and Terego District
7.Key data Summary
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
1. Executive summary
Charcoal remains Uganda’s most common energy source, supplying over 80% of urban households. In Northern Uganda, where poverty remains widespread after decades of conflict, the charcoal trade has become a quick source of income. However, the environmental cost has become catastrophic. Bush burning, initially a cultural practice to clear land ,is now uncontrolled and has become more destructive.
This report analyzes the causes, scale, and consequences of the charcoal trade and bush burning in Northern Uganda, their impact on livelihoods, and proposes policy and community-based interventions for sustainable management.
2. Methodology
The study covers the districts of Gulu, Amuru, Kitgum, Lamwo, Nwoya, Pader, and Arua. Data was gathered through field observations, interviews with local leaders, National Forestry Authority (NFA) reports ,digital open sources, satellite data analysis (2010-2025) ,community surveys conducted between 2021 and 2025 and review of secondary literature from the National Forestry Authority (NFA), Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), and district environmental reports.
3. Background and context
Northern Uganda comprises 24 districts extending from West Nile (Arua, Yumbe, Terego, Moyo) through Acholi (Gulu, Pader, Lamwo, Amuru, Kitgum) to Lango (Lira, Oyam, Apac, Kole).
These areas are largely savannah woodland ecosystems dominated by Acacia, Combretum, and Terminalia species trees that are highly preferred for charcoal burning because of their dense wood and slow combustion.
4. Findings and analysis
4.1 Deforestation and Woodland depletion
Between 2010 and 2024, Northern Uganda lost approximately 62% of its woodland cover, primarily due to uncontrolled charcoal production. Nwoya,Gulu and Amuru districts alone contribute over 40% of charcoal traded in Kampala markets. Tree felling for charcoal pits targets slow-growing indigenous species, making natural regeneration extremely difficult. Deforestation has disrupted microclimates and reduced rainfall patterns across the region.
Bush burning has eliminated ground vegetaion,birds,and small mammals in many savannah zones.
Regular fires destroys tree seedlings and sapling before they mature
Wildlife corridors between Murchison Falls National Park and Lamwo hills have been reduced by nearly 30% and then Pollinators (bees, butterflies) are declining, affecting agriculture and honey production, the top soils are thereby left bared increasing the risk of soil erosion and run-off in dry and rainy seasons inclusive of soil fertility loss since organic matter are being burnt down and the living soil microbes .The river tributaries like Aswa in Atiak ,Paicho have reduced water volume and flow due to silting and drying of water catchment areas/vegetation. Many farmers in Nwoya,Amuru,Gulu were most of the rain is received in wet season in northern Uganda reports low rainfall counts and longer dry spells which reduces maize yields up to 32% in Nwoya ,Agago,Pader,Amuru,Gulu and even the wildlife including antelopes, monkeys, and birds are migrating or disappearing entirely.
👀 👉 Northern Uganda lost most of its biodiversity due to charcoal burning and tree cutting ,this as well is the major indicators of poverty within the regions since the complains are in soils and weather but the human influence on vegetation covers contributes further within agricultural based northern Ugandans who largely depends on farming as source on income and food Security. The participants in vegetation deterioration in northern Uganda are of different categories ,the findings indicates most of the charcoal burners are not from northern Uganda but instead intruders from the neighboring regions and far districts, they use the local community they finds around as labor and the land owners with forest are being given small money of (200.000-500.000Ugshs only) to allow them exploits the trees ,this charcoal burners are from central Uganda ,Eastern and some from western Uganda who move with tracks from villages to villages seeking for were to settle and after transport the charcoal to Kampala for sale .
The charcoal trade employs thousands but remains largely informal. Most producers use inefficient earth kilns, which destroy vast woodland areas. Trees such as Shea, Afzelia, and Acacia are most targeted. An estimated 2 million trees are cut down annually for charcoal in the Acholi sub region alone. Charcoal transport routes connect Gulu to Kampala, with lorries carrying hundreds of bags daily, often without proper permits.
Bush Burning Practices or seasonal fire-setting and charcoal burning has become the major drivers in vegetation lost in northern Uganda to clear land and encourage grass regrowth for grazing animals, However, fires often escape control, burning forests, destroying young crops, and killing wildlife. Between 2021 and 2024, over 50,000 hectares were reported burnt yearly across Northern Uganda, according to NEMA district statistics.
5. Livelihood and Social Vulnerability
Charcoal income benefits households in the short term, but long-term impacts are devastating. Soil erosion reduces farm yields; women travel longer distances for firewood; and pastoralists face grazing shortages. Health problems from smoke inhalation are increasing like cancers ,heart diseases ,lungs and other affected body organs and systems , as well conflicts arise over land ownership and tree cutting rights ,lost of medical and food plants, fruits as forest resources .
Per now women who depend on firewood for cooking are footing for a longer distance sometimes over 10km to gather fuel often the girl child at school in such a family skip school to assist firewood collection affecting education outcomes.Men ,meanwhile dominate the commercial site of charcoal production accounting for uneven benefit sharing leading to poverty rates.
Illegal Charcoal transport has triggered tensions between security forces and traders within Amuru,Nwoya,Lamwo ,Terego and Gulu majorly and this led to occassionaly interception of charcoal tructs in protest.This is linked to disputes between host communities and extenal Balaalo herders over land degradation in northern Uganda and yet large cattles being grazed by Balaalo is frustrating the northerners land .
The dual crisis of charcoal trade and bush burning illustrates a classic poverty–environment trap.
Poverty drives communities to exploit natural resources unsustainably, while environmental degradation deepens that poverty.The demand chain extends beyond local consumption; urban and cross-border markets in Kampala, Juba, and South Sudan create external pressure on Northern Uganda’s ecosystems. At the same time, charcoal income finances basic needs school fees, healthcare, and food making abrupt bans politically and socially difficult.Without viable alternative livelihoods and affordable energy options, communities remain trapped between economic survival and environmental collapse.
6. Case Studies and Snapshot
6.1. Nwoya District
6.2. Gulu District
In 2023, local authorities seized over 5,000 bags of illegal charcoal from Paicho and Awach sub-counties. Enforcement improved temporarily, but production resumed after enforcement officers rotated.
6.3. Amuru and Lamwo
Pastoralist movements and charcoal traders have cleared large tracts near the Aswa Ranch boundary. Local residents report soil infertility and increased human-wildlife conflicts.
6.4. Arua and Terego
The West Nile subregion faces aggressive commercial logging for charcoal destined for South Sudan. Despite district bans, porous borders facilitate smuggling.
7. Key Data Summary
|
Indicator |
2010 |
2024 |
Change |
|
Woodland Cover (%) |
65 |
25 |
|
|
Annual Charcoal bags
exported(approx.) |
1.5 million |
4.2 million |
|
|
Households relying on
charcoal/firewood (%) |
83 |
91 |
|
|
Average income from
charcoal (UGX/month)approx. |
150.000 |
500.000 |
|
|
Crop yield index
(maize, millet)% |
97.6 |
68 |
|
|
(Source:NFA
2024,UBOS 2023 estimates) |
8. Governance and Policy Challenges
The Ugandan Forestry and Tree Planting Act (2003) and National Environment Act (2019) aim to regulate resource use, but enforcement remains weak. Corruption and limited logistical support hinder forest officers. Community awareness is low, and the absence of clear land tenure systems complicates conservation initiatives. Charcoal production and Transport guideline of (2016) and other District Environmental Orders under the office of District agricultural officer of the district and RDC'S.In 2023 ,the president banned charcoal burning in northen uganda.Many individuals were warned and called to seek for the rightful way without falling in the act.
However ,enforcements remains inconsistence and weak due to ;
(i) Unfunded local forestry offices
(ii) Corruption and political interference
(iii) Poor interagency co-ordination (NFA,UPDF,Police and RDC's).
(IV) Shortages of incentives for communities to protect forests.
As per now in northern Uganda and Uganda at large the local government lacks resources to implements bylaws banning bush burning and charcoal producers ,when enforcement tends to relax, community-based environmental committees are largely inactive or unfunded ,there is overlapping mandates between NEMA ,NFA and the districts councils.
Weak data collection systems to monitors deforestation or charcoal volumes
https://www.independent.co.ug/museveni-bans-charcoal-trade-balaalo-herdsmen-from-northern-uganda/
https://x.com/search?q=chrcoal%20burning%20uganda&src=typed_query
8. Community Perspectives Interviews show mixed feelings.
While many acknowledge the destruction, they also depend on the trade for survival. In Gulu and Amuru, youth see charcoal burning as a job of last resort. Elders lament the loss of cultural trees like Shea, urging government intervention. Women’s groups advocate for alternative livelihoods, such as energy-saving stoves and tree nurseries.
9. Sustainable Alternatives To reverse degradation,
the report recommends a multi-sector approach: - Promote clean energy options such as LPG, biogas, and solar. - Introduce efficient charcoal kilns and enforce replanting obligations. - Develop woodlots for controlled charcoal production. - Support environmental education in schools and communities. - Expand livelihood options like beekeeping, fruit tree farming, and eco-tourism. - Strengthen local governance through environmental by-laws and charcoal licensing systems.
10. Case Studies In Lamwo,
a youth cooperative successfully transitioned from charcoal to briquette production using agricultural waste. In Nwoya, the “Green Savannah Project” has planted over 500,000 trees since 2022. These examples prove community-driven sustainability is possible with proper support.
11. Conclusion The charcoal trade and bush burning are both a symptom and cause of environmental degradation in Northern Uganda. Sustainable recovery requires balancing livelihoods and conservation. Without decisive action, Northern Uganda risks becoming a dry, unproductive zone within the next decade. The future lies in renewable energy, tree planting, and environmental education to secure both nature and livelihoods.
12. Recommendations Summary
1. Enforce charcoal trade licensing and taxation.
2. Strengthen NFA and district environmental units.
3. Promote community forestry and land restoration.
4. Integrate environmental education at all levels.
5. Encourage NGOs and private sector to invest in renewable energy alternatives.
6. Empower women and youth in environmental entrepreneurship.
Research Code;NUG-057-2025
Country;Uganda
Region;Northern Uganda
Publisher ID;pub-6403711198558955
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