Experts push for accelerated renewable energy investment in Uganda

KAMPALA - Uganda’s rapid industrial growth and rising electricity demand are intensifying calls for greater investment in renewable energy.

Experts and industry leaders insisted that expanding access to reliable and affordable power will be critical to sustaining the country’s economic transformation.

Addressing journalists at the Uganda Manufacturers’ Association (UMA) Show Grounds, Lugogo in Kampala on Thursday (May 14, 2026), ahead of the inaugural Power, Energy and Solar Uganda Expo 2026, they argued that Uganda’s rising energy demands make investment in solar and other renewable energy resources non-optional.

A three-day international exhibition scheduled for May 21-23 at the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) Multipurpose Hall in Kampala, will run alongside Construct Uganda Expo 2026 and is expected to attract exhibitors and investors from more than 10 countries, including India, China, Kenya, Malaysia and the Philippines.

Uganda has significantly expanded its electricity generation capacity over the past decade, driven largely by investments in hydropower projects such as Karuma and Isimba.

According to the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA), Uganda’s installed electricity generation capacity rose to more than 2,098 megawatts by the end of 2025, up from about 1,360MW in 2021.

More than 95% of the country’s installed capacity now comes from renewable sources, with hydropower accounting for the largest share.

According to experts, despite the growth, demand for electricity is rising rapidly due to industrialisation, urbanisation and population growth.

For instance, peak electricity demand surpassed 1,300MW in 2025, while access to electricity remains limited for many households, particularly in rural areas.

Trushar Upadhyay, a senior advisor to the expo and honorary advisor for Uganda Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the exhibition would provide a platform to connect investors, manufacturers and policymakers in the energy and construction sectors.

“Uganda today stands at a very important stage of economic and industrial transformation. The nation’s construction sector has emerged as one of the strongest pillars of economic growth.

The vision behind the expo exhibition is creating a powerful industry platform that connects manufacturers, promotes knowledge sharing, sustainable technologies and strengthens international trade and industrial collaboration.” Upadhyay said.

He argued that solar energy could play a larger role in addressing Uganda’s growing electricity needs, especially in underserved communities and industrial zones.

Experts after a press conference at UMA Show Grounds in Kampala. (Credit: Nelson Kiva)

According to ERA, solar power currently contributes about 111MW to Uganda’s national grid, representing just over 4% of installed electricity capacity.

On behalf of the Uganda Manufacturers Association, Mubarak Kirunda Nkuutu said Uganda’s manufacturing sector increasingly requires stable and affordable electricity to sustain productivity and job creation.

“Much as we are generating a lot of electricity, every other day Uganda is growing in terms of industry and population. The power that we have is not really enough,” Nkuutu said.

He said the exhibition would expose Ugandans to alternative energy technologies capable of supporting industrial expansion and economic growth.

“When you come to exhibit and showcase Ugandans, they will get to know how they can get alternatives in order to get sufficient power,” he said.

Nkuutu also linked energy innovation to employment creation and manufacturing competitiveness. “As we learn a lot, it will not stop here. 

Definitely, it’s going to help us increase our productivity, and for as long as we increase our productivity, definitely we are creating more jobs in this country,” he said.

Jacinta Nekesa, executive director of Environmental Alert, warned that continued reliance on wood fuel was accelerating deforestation, particularly in rural communities.

“We are concerned about degradation of the environment because people are looking for wood for energy and for cooking food,” Nekesa said.

Uganda remains heavily dependent on biomass, with firewood and charcoal still accounting for the majority of household cooking energy, especially outside urban areas.

However, Nekesa cautioned that affordability and poor-quality products remain major barriers to wider renewable energy adoption.

“Some of the options on the market, such as gas for cooking, are expensive. So how can we make these options affordable to the people who need them most?”

Construction sector leaders also described the expo as an opportunity for Ugandan contractors and businesses to connect with international investors and technology providers.

Kiara Binta Nkurunga, president of the Uganda National Association of Builders, Suppliers, Engineering and Contractors (UNABSEC), said the event would help local companies access financing, partnerships and technical expertise.

She noted that Africa’s infrastructure boom presents major opportunities for Ugandan firms.

“They say much of Africa is going to be a construction site for the next couple of decades,” she said.

Meanwhile, Maliam Nambooze, a board member of Women in Construction and Infrastructure Uganda, said the exhibition would also promote inclusion and opportunities for women in engineering, infrastructure and energy development.

“Construction, infrastructure, power and energy sectors remain among the strongest drivers of Uganda’s economic transformation,” she said.

Nambooze further encouraged women-owned enterprises and young girls to participate in the expo and pursue careers in engineering and infrastructure development.

“We want young girls and women across Uganda to see that there is a space for them within the construction industry,” she said.

Mansi Gaur from Max Hardware and Tools Limited said Uganda’s growing construction sector is creating opportunities for increased local manufacturing and industrial investment, particularly in building materials and hardware supplies.

Gaur said companies operating in the sector are increasingly shifting toward local production to reduce dependence on imports and support Uganda’s industrialisation agenda.