How non-carbonized briquettes are transforming institutions and fighting deforestation in Uganda

Non-carbonized briquettes from Bio-Innovations burning efficiently, providing clean and sustainable heat.

Across Kampala and other regions of Uganda, thousands of institutions such as schools, hospitals, prisons, and factories continue to rely on traditional fuels like firewood and charcoal for daily cooking and heating. This dependence has led to massive deforestation, rising fuel costs, and dangerous levels of indoor air pollution. But a quiet energy revolution is underway, one driven by Bio-Innovations’ non-carbonized briquettes, a clean, affordable, and sustainable alternative to these outdated fuels.

In institutional kitchens across Uganda, the change is easy to see. Where thick smoke once filled the air, there is now clean heat and efficient cooking. Cooks in schools and hospitals breathe easier as they prepare meals using eco-friendly briquettes that burn longer, produce less smoke, and cost up to 45 percent less than firewood. These savings are freeing up institutional budgets for education, healthcare, and other critical services instead of constantly purchasing wood fuel.

For schools, the impact has been immediate and measurable. By switching from firewood to briquettes, institutions are reducing their carbon footprint and helping to protect Uganda’s rapidly disappearing forests. Kitchens stay cleaner, meal times are more efficient, and the working environment is safer for cooks and staff.

Cooks load non-carbonized briquettes into an institutional cookstove at Pride College School, Mpigi.

Hospitals are also benefiting from this shift. Clean cooking energy is essential in medical facilities where hygiene and air quality are top priorities. With briquettes, hospital kitchens now operate with less smoke and soot, creating safer conditions for both patients and staff. These clean energy solutions are not only improving health but also supporting Uganda’s national efforts toward renewable energy adoption.

In Uganda’s correctional institutions and factories, Bio-Innovations’ non-carbonized briquettes are replacing traditional fuels in large-scale cooking and industrial boilers. The briquettes burn consistently and generate steady heat, reducing downtime and fuel waste. For factories, this means greater energy efficiency and compliance with sustainability standards that are becoming increasingly important in both local and international markets.

Beyond the environmental and financial benefits, the briquette value chain is also empowering local communities. Women and youth in Kampala and surrounding regions are actively involved in collecting and processing agricultural and wood waste used in briquette production. This creates jobs, promotes recycling, and demonstrates how waste-to-energy innovation can transform lives while protecting nature.

A team of youth at our Buloba factory producing non-carbonized briquettes.

Every ton of non-carbonized briquettes produced by Bio-Innovations saves dozens of trees from being cut for charcoal or firewood. Each sack of briquettes represents cleaner air, a healthier kitchen, and a stronger community. Collectively, this movement is helping Uganda fight deforestation, reduce carbon emissions, and move toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.

Bio-Innovations is proud to be at the forefront of this change, leading the transition from traditional fuels to clean cooking and heating solutions. Our mission is clear: to mitigate deforestation and its effects by delivering quality, affordable, and renewable energy options for Ugandan institutions and homes.

As more schools, hospitals, and industries in Kampala and beyond make the switch, the impact will continue to grow. Fewer trees will be cut, kitchens will have cleaner air, operational costs will go down, and livelihoods for Ugandans will become stronger.

The future of Uganda’s energy sector is bright and sustainable. Through non-carbonized briquettes, Bio-Innovations is proving that clean energy can be both practical and transformative. Together, we can end Uganda’s reliance on traditional fuels and build a cleaner, greener nation for generations to come.