Abstract

Demand for inexpensive alternative fuels and briquettes to bridge the gap between
cooking, water heating, and heating production processes has been expanding by the
day, due to the current fuel crisis and the ever-increasing costs of electricity and wood
charcoal in Kampala and its environs. The goal of this study was to determine the
different types of biomass briquettes and associated technology that are available in
Kampala. Face-to-face interviews and questionnaires were used to collect data on the
numerous varieties of biomass briquettes that are commonly used by Kampala
families, as well as the raw materials used by briquette producers. Descriptive
statistics techniques were employed. According to the statistics, the most often utilized
briquettes in Kampala are stick briquettes, honeycomb briquettes, cylindrical, round,
and doughnut-shaped briquettes. While the majority of households continue to use
expensive and unreliable energy sources such as wood charcoal, gas, and electricity,
using briquettes is less expensive and has the potential to reduce deforestation,
minimize waste streams, and reduce indoor air pollution, reduce odors, and increase
local job creation. Households that use briquettes lamented a lack of available
technology, a lack of equipment for making their own, and a shortage of well-trained
or skilled people to assist in waste sorting to gather organic matter for briquette
production. It was concluded that carbonized round briquettes are preferred because
non-carbonized briquettes are extremely scarce and that a number of factors
significantly deterred individuals from investing in biomass briquette technology,
including government laxity in providing incentives and a failure to create favorable
conditions for individuals to invest in biomass briquette energy production and
utilization.