Proper household training is crucial for successful and sustained LPG adoption

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OPINION

By Doreen Asasira

As Uganda seeks to promote and increase the use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) as a clean cooking alternative to combat deforestation and reduce health risks from biomass fuels, providing training on proper use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) to households is essential.

The country’s energy strategy positions LPG as a critical bridge fuel in its transition towards a modern, sustainable energy system and the government’s involvement to conduct safety-usage related trainings will help address safety concerns, encourage consistent use, help new users get familiar with the technology and maximise the health and environmental benefits.

Accidents often occur due to unknown reasons. In August 2025, Uganda Radio Network, The Observer newspaper, among other media houses reported an incident at a hostel in Kyambogo, where six university students were injured following an LPG explosion, an incident that left many in fear. Pre-use trainings educate users on safe handling practices, regular equipment checks, and how to respond to leaks and potential fires.

In Uganda, cooking is primarily done by women; therefore, training programs specifically targeting women can empower them by providing new skills, improving their health, and enabling them to use their saved time for employment or education.

For communities switching from traditional fuels like wood or charcoal, training helps users avoid the significant indoor air pollution and associated respiratory diseases caused by burning biomass, and this provides major health benefits, particularly for women and children who spend the most time around the cookstove.

Training can teach users efficient cooking techniques, such as using the correct burner size for their cookware and controlling the temperature accurately. This helps to reduce gas consumption and lower energy costs.

Therefore, the Ugandan government should consider creating a robust national framework as a comprehensive approach that includes policy, regulation, funding, and partnerships with the private sector to boost LPG adoption, ensuring safety, and achieving clean energy goals through;

1. Designing public awareness campaigns nationwide to educate the public on the benefits of LPG over traditional cooking alternatives, addressing common misconceptions and fears about gas safety.
2. Publicly demonstrating the proper and safe use of LPG stoves and cylinders to build confidence among potential users.
3. Directly use community-based programs to provide hands-on training, which is particularly effective in rural areas where LPG is new.
4. Enforcing safety standards and strict rules for the handling, storage, and distribution of LPG throughout the supply chain.
5. Ensuring that all LPG cylinders and equipment sold to consumers are certified and meet national safety standards.

The writer is an environmentalist