During construction, various materials such as wood, glass, metal, bricks can be used, basing on one's preference. It's always good to put into consideration the cost of the material, how it serves the purpose for which it's used, and it's impact on the environment. Many houses in Uganda are constructed using bricks. I took a sample space of 50 houses in Bajjo-Mukono-Uganda and 48 were constructed with the clay/ brown soil fired-bricks whereas only two were constructed with concrete blocks.

A brick maker who had done the business for five years told me that with three workers, an estimated 15,000 bricks would be made in two months more so if the rains were scarce. Swampy areas were preferred to the dry lands for the activity since they provided more water and clay (for making stronger and more profiting bricks as compared to those made from brown soil). This also made the activity less expensive and simpler due to the closeness of the raw materials. Firing/ Burning a kiln of about 15,000 bricks (brown soil) to readiness required two elf trucks of wood while clay fired bricks required 3 trucks since they take longer to attain the required strength brick strength. Bigger kilns also exist which obviously consume more wood. Only well burnt bricks are bought by clients because they have achieved the strength needed for construction. Half and less burnt bricks are usually considered wasted which means that this venture is quite a risky one and losses can easily be made.

In order to get a better understanding, I also researched about the eco-friendly bricks and blocks. By the way, eco-friendly fired bricks also exist though the firing process involves the use of electricity which makes them a bit expensive. My emphasis was mostly on the non- fired blocks produced by two companies, Makiga(based in Kenya with a branch in Uganda) and Eco-concrete Ltd  . The Makiga Stabilised Soil Blocks are made by compacting a mixture of soil (murram) and cement into a stabilized soil block. These blocks provide affordable housing, are strong and economical. About 400-500 blocks can be made by four workers in 8 daily working hours (from 8am to 5pm). Concrete blocks are strong due to the materials used in their formation (commonly cement, gravel and sand), but quite expensive; and are mainly used in mega projects. I also came across interlocking construction blocks during my research. These seemed easy and very interesting to use and were also cost effective.    

Apart from not being environmental friendly, clay/ brown soil bricks may be cheaper to the client and yet not to the brick maker since he may receive lesser income after a great input (capital, labour..) as compared to his counterparts who would make the eco-friendly blocks for the same number of bricks. There was a registered reduction in the prices of some construction materials like cement in the month of August which I wish may continue, together with the eco-friendly bricks? price to help people adopt so that we can save the Earth.