| Overview : Uganda’s energy sector is characterized by over 90% of the population relying on use of biomass, with wood fuel being the main source of heating and cooking in rural and urban areas (GIZ, 2011).Firewood and charcoal contribute 88% and 6% respectively to the country’s total energy consumption. At present 18% of the population in Uganda depend on charcoal for cooking (MEMD 2014). A close relationship exists between the growth of charcoal consumption and urbanization. Of the total charcoal produced 23% is consumed by commercial establishments and 67% is consumed by the households. The potential to use charcoal in industrial establishments has not been explored fully in Uganda but preliminary studies have suggested that the potential exists. The recommended level of national forest cover for Uganda to have a stable ecological system is 30 per cent. The national forest cover as of 2005 was at 18 per cent, having dropped from 24 per cent in 1990. This decline which is estimated at 1.8 per cent per annum is largely attributed to increasing demand for agricultural land and fuel wood by the rapidly growing population. Between 1990 and 2005 alone, a total of 1,329,570ha (27 per cent of original forest cover) was lost. Recent spatial analyses (2010 images) indicate that the current forest cover is now 10per cent and major loss is found on private lands due to unsustainable extraction of forests for charcoal and fuel wood production, timber and agricultural expansion. Since forestry sector reform that took place between 1998 and 2004, there has been no deliberate effort to guide systematic production and trade in charcoal. Key institutions involved in administration and management of the harvesting, production and trade along the value chain have been poorly coordinated and as a result, there has been un harmonized implementation of their operations. Although, the forestry law (NFTPA, 2003) recognizes charcoal as one of the forestry products that is regulated in the same manner like other products, there is evidence that charcoal trade has many unique attributes that require further guidance that will be elaborated through the national guidelines. The guidelines will enhance sustainable production, handling, transportation and trade, therefore, improve efficiency of the actors and formalize the various processes and activities along the value chain. Objectives of the assignment: The main objective of this assignment is to develop national guidelines for sustainable production, transportation and trade in charcoal in Uganda. Specifically the consultant will: - Identify stakeholders and institutions involved in administration and management of various aspects of the trade along the entire value chain;
- Review relevant policies and laws that govern production of and trade in charcoal;
- Identify gaps, weaknesses, opportunities and strengths that need to be address for effective regulation and efficiency in the trade along the entire value chain;
- Conduct stakeholder consultations to come up with draft and final guidelines on Sustainable production and trade in charcoal.
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