Despite a rainy start to the day, a group of bamboo enthusiasts came together to learn about bamboo processing. We kicked off with inspiring insights from Dr Koojo Charles Amooti who owns approximately 25% of Uganda’s current bamboo acreage with over 800 acres(!) in Hoima and Nakasongola. As he put it: “I have the potential to harvest 1.2 million poles annually. If each is valued at one dollar, you can see the scale of the opportunity.” 💡
One of the many potential products from bamboo is bamboo boards. After Dr. Koojo set the stage with the opportunities, Dr. Collin Muhumuza from Amabanda Uganda Limited guided us through the practical process of board making. It was a delightful surprise for attendees to see a humble, round bamboo pole transformed into a durable hardwood floor or tabletop.
Looking at the bigger picture, we didn’t just demonstrate board making; we highlighted the vast potential of bamboo, using boards as just one example. We also showed that with just over 3,000 acres of bamboo in Uganda, much of which is not yet mature, there is still significant room for growth.
While some hesitate to plant, trees are being cut illegally elsewhere. While others worry about market demand, investors are waiting for larger bamboo acreage.
Masterclasses like this also serve as a platform for dialogue between investors and farmers seeking markets, processors and architects, producers and buyers.
We’re encouraged by the positive responses we received.
Stay tuned for upcoming masterclasses.
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