First ethanol plant announced for Uganda amidst biodiesel possibilities and biodiversity concerns

In Uganda, Liquifier Uganda announced that it will construct the first ethanol plant in Uganda, setting up operations in both east and western Uganda, by June 2008. The ethanol plant, which will has an undisclosed capacity, will utilize corn, sugar and cassava as feedstocks.

In 2006, Sugar Corporation of Uganda Ltd (Scoul) requested 7,100 hectares of land from within Mabira Central Forest Reserve to expand sugar production to 100,000 tones per annum and produce ethanol from the 50,000 tonne increase.

Also, Oil Palm Uganda is seeking land on Bugala Island, Kalangala District, to expand oil palm cultivation for biodiesel production.

A study recently published by the Africa Biodiversity Network said that current biofuel project development and selection practices in Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Benin could lead to environmental and humanitarian disaster. The report cited the conversion of one-third of Uganda’s Mabira Rainforest to sugarcane for ethanol production.

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