KOICA alumni take clean cooking campaign to Kigezi

What the report says

KOICA alumni have brought a clean cooking and green livelihoods campaign to Kabale District in Uganda’s Kigezi sub-region, where they trained community leaders, women’s groups and youth groups in making charcoal briquettes. According to Nile Post, the session took place on August 29, 2026, and focused on turning materials such as charcoal dust, sawdust and other agricultural waste into alternative cooking fuel.

The initiative is being led by Ugandan professionals linked to the Korea International Cooperation Agency alumni network, including Florence Nayebare, Arnorld Ayebazibwe, Stella Maris Bukirwa and Robert Kasagga. Their broader effort includes tree planting, clean cooking promotion and support for green enterprises. The group says briquettes could help reduce reliance on wood fuel, which remains common in households and adds pressure on forests.

Beyond the environmental angle, the training was also framed as a livelihood opportunity, especially for women and young people who could use the skills to start small businesses. KOICA Uganda program manager Yunjeong Heo said briquettes can offer a practical local response to clean energy transition and climate change goals, while also making use of waste materials.

The alumni have also visited schools such as Mengo Senior Secondary School, St Mark's College Namagooma and Gayaza High School, which are exploring or already using briquettes. The campaign highlights how overseas training can be adapted to local development needs, while pointing to the need for more support, technology and markets if cleaner cooking is to scale more widely.