Woodfuel Use in Urban Environment: Analysing Variations and Predictors in Kampala City

Abel Nzabona, Centre For Basic Research, Kampala

Woodfuel is one of the sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Contrary to expectations of wide use of cleaner energy-sources in the urban environment, evidence indicates woodfuel use abounds among Kampala city households. This paper investigated the predictors of woodfuel use using data on 41,250 Kampala City households extracted from the 2014 census dataset. Chisquare statistic was used to test association between socio-demographic factors and woodfuel use. Binary logistic regression model was fitted to predict woodfuel use. Findings indicate that woodfuel use is particularly high among persons who were residents of Rubaga and Kawempe divisions, living in tenements, staying in rammed earth-floored housing units and had never attended school. Age, sex, residence, tenure of occupancy, receipt of remittances, type of dwelling unit and floor material predicted woodfuel uses. The findings have several implications including improving household and housing conditions among the residents. Key Terms: Woodfuel Charcoal Firewood Kampala Pollutants