Gulu Residents Turn to Brick Laying After Charcoal Ban

Several residents in parts of Gulu District have turned to bricklaying as an alternative source of income after Executive Order No. 3 outlawed commercial charcoal burning. For many youths in Gulu, charcoal burning was a quick way to make money, especially during the dry season. 

However, following President Yoweri Museveni’s directive banning commercial charcoal production in Northern Uganda in May 2023, locals have shifted to bricklaying. In Unyama Sub County, Justin Kidega, the L.CIII Chairperson, says brick laying has increased significantly along roadsides to meet the growing demand for construction materials. 

However, he warns that the practice is leading to indiscriminate tree cutting for brick burning, worsening deforestation caused by charcoal burning.

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Kidega emphasizes the need for replanting trees to replace those being cut for brick production.

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Similarly, in Palaro Sub County, Joel Wokorach, the L.CIII Chairperson, notes a surge in bricklaying, with many residents cutting down fruit trees at home for fuel. 

Some who lack trees are even buying firewood from their neighbors to sustain their operations.

In Patiko Sub County, Patrick Komakech, the L.CIII Chairperson, says that while brick laying has not yet taken off as a major business in his area, he fears residents might be cutting trees to sell wood to brick makers in other areas. “The most common activity depleting our environment is still charcoal burning. The brick business has not picked up here yet,” Komakech notes. However, in Paicho Sub County, Charles Okello, the L.CIII Chairperson, argues that unlike charcoal burning, brick laying is not causing large-scale deforestation.

“Most people are only cutting tree branches to burn bricks, allowing the trees to continue growing. They are not cutting entire trees like they did for charcoal,” Okello explains.

Local leaders are now calling for sustainable brick production methods, including tree planting initiatives, to mitigate the negative environmental effects of deforestation.