Abstract:
Uganda features a high deforestation rate of about 2.2% (Nampewo, 2013) and heavily
depends on biomass (over 90%) as energy source (MEMD, 2009). Petroleum which is
currently imported accounts for 6% of Uganda’s energy consumption (REA, 2011) and the
recent discovered oil is expected to last less than 30years (Okupa, 2012). Urban and rural
dwellers use predominantly metal charcoal stoves and traditional three-stone stoves,
respectively, at efficiency less than 10% (Okello et al., 2013). This puts Uganda’s forests and
its growing population (3.32%/year) under tremendous pressure. Therefore adoption of
improved biomass cook stoves and use of bio-fuels such as Jatropha oil (Jatropha curcas)
and castor oil (Ricinus communis) could conserve energy and reduce environmental degradation.