Gulu University Launches Green Charcoal Living Lab in Amuru

Gulu University has officially launched a Green Charcoal Living Lab in Pabbo town council, Amuru district under the project; Unlocking the Potential of Green Charcoal Innovation to Mitigate Climate Change in Northern Uganda (UPCHAIN).

The Living Lab was launched on Thursday 27^th February, 2025 under the theme: “Green Charcoal Innovation for Climate Mitigation.”

Oceng Geoffrey Osborn, the Resident District Commissioner Amuru who was the chief guest at the event appreciated Gulu University for this project which he said resonates well with the government thinking because President Museveni has always talked about skilling of the youth and community to improve livelihoods.

This according to him clearly shows that Gulu University is indeed for Community Transformation as its motto states.

Michael Lakony, the Amuru district LC5 Chairman said he is happy that his district is now part and partial of the project and they are direct beneficiaries of UPCHAIN. He however, requested the Danish government to continue funding the project in order to solve the problem of climate change.

“If more funding could be given to Gulu University to allow more replication of this kind of research to continue, we will be appreciative. And that is the benefits of scholars, they do not shout like us politicians, but they go for the brain work and the result of their brainwork is now seen,” Lakony said.

Ben Anyama, the LC V Chairman Adjumani district advices that the project leaders should scale up publicity and inform Government about this very important project.

“There should be enough publicity so that government knows Gulu University is doing this great project. We are going to associate with you day in and out to make this project works,” Anyama commits.

Caroline Rose Adong, Secretary Planning, Finance and Administration in Gulu city who represented the city Mayor Alfred Okwonga said there is need to sell the agenda of this youth skilling project to secondary schools as well and the city should prioritize it in their development plans.

“As Local Government, we need to make this feature in our development plans so that development partners can pick interests in supporting these skilling projects,” said Adong.

Dr. Collins Okello, Dean Faculty of Agriculture and Environment said the production of Green Charcoal is expected to reduce tree cutting and massive charcoal burning in Amuru hence mitigating climate change in the district and Northern Uganda at large.
Gulu University Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. David Okello Owiny who represented the Vice Chancellor Prof. George Ladaah Openjuru during the launch said the university is very proud of the running projects under UPCHAIN which is transforming the community.

“H.E President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni issued Executive Order No 3 of 2023, banning charcoal burning and charcoal business in northern and eastern Uganda with the aim of bringing to an end the massive cutting down of trees for charcoal and this makes the UPCHAIN Projects even more important,” Prof. Owiny said.

Gulu University partners with Aalborg University and University of Copenhagen in Denmark in the implementation of this project being funded by Danish government.