The Urgent Need for Affordable Cooking Technologies in Uganda and Beyond.

November  Free Report - 1
By
Emmanuel Joster Ssenjovu

The act of preparing a meal is a task that should never be taken for granted. In the context of an average African family, particularly in Uganda, the responsibility often falls on the shoulders of the primary caregiver, usually the mother.

In a scenario where the combined income of the breadwinners scarcely reaches a million Ugandan Shillings (approximately less than 300 USD per month), the ability to afford modern cooking technology becomes a distant luxury.

The 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey conducted by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) reveals that an average Ugandan family comprises 4 to 6 members, almost double the size of families in the UK, South Korea, and other major or middle-income economies globally.

Consequently, the preparation of meals for such extended family sizes becomes not only more time-consuming but also resource-intensive, posing a substantial environmental threat.

Across the globe, the reliance on traditional cooking methods has led to the burning of an incalculable amount of board feet of logs, contributing to deforestation and environmental challenges. 

In states like Vermont and others in the United States, over 40% of residents used firewood as their primary heating source, a staggering statistic that emphasizes the prevalence of such practices. 

This reliance on firewood is even more pronounced in developing countries, where access to affordable clean cooking facilities is a daunting challenge.

Uganda's cooking culture has long been dependent on firewood, contributing significantly to massive deforestation and its associated consequences. According to the Modern Cooking Services report in 2022, the majority of Ugandan households (73%) use firewood, while 21% rely on charcoal as their primary cooking fuel. This reliance on traditional cooking methods exacerbates environmental challenges.

Delving deeper into the issue reveals why adopting modern cooking technologies is imperative. In Uganda, where over 90% of the population, exceeding 44 million people, relies on common beans as their primary source of protein and sauce, the traditional cooking process is time-consuming.

An average lunch for a family of five, comprising a combination of beans and staple foods like matooke, posho, sweet potato, or cassava, takes an average of 2.5 hours to cook on firewood or charcoal.

As reported by the New Vision, an average family cooks 12 kilograms of beans per month, requiring approximately 288 kilograms of charcoal annually. The Global Environment Facility in 2018, supported by Energy Observer, estimates that 100 kilograms of wood result in the production of 20 to 45 kilograms of charcoal, necessitating the felling of 1 to 2 trees. 

With the annual charcoal consumption in Uganda standing at around 400,000 kilograms, more than 17,700 trees are cut down for only charcoal burning each year. The demand for firewood in 2019, as reported by UBOS, was 43.1 metric tons, resulting in the clearing of hectares of forests annually for wood and charcoal production. Is this really sustainable?

Addressing this environmental predicament requires a shift towards modern cooking technologies. In Uganda, innovative solutions such as modern charcoal cooking stoves have been introduced by organizations like potentialenergy.org. 

While these solutions represent progress, they still rely on charcoal production, leading to deforestation. An effective resolution necessitates the widespread adoption of affordable modern cooking technology, including cookers, micro-ovens, and percolators, backed by consistent and sufficient electricity and gas access.

The potential impact of such a shift is profound. By reducing reliance on charcoal and firewood, households could contribute significantly to environmental conservation, saving thousands of trees annually. The conservation of trees, in turn, aids in preserving the environment, marking a crucial step towards sustainable living.

In a nutshell, the urgent need for affordable cooking technologies is evident, not just in Uganda but globally. Embracing modern cooking solutions can mitigate environmental challenges and revolutionize daily life for households, offering not only environmental benefits but also time savings, improved health outcomes, and economic advantages. 

The transition to sustainable and modern living is contingent upon widespread adoption and support for affordable and eco-friendly cooking technologies.