Ugandan enterprises win sh1b for renewable energy
Mar 21, 2016
These projects – all local solutions benefitting local communities – are shining examples of how Ugandan entrepreneurs are addressing the pressing needs of their fellow citizens for more access to electricity
The US African Development Foundation (USADAF) has awarded three Ugandan renewable energy enterprises for promoting the use of renewable energy in communities.
During a function held at the US Mission in Kampala on March 21, 2016, officials from USADF gave out the $300,000 (over sh1b) to the beneficiary enterprises following the third round of USADF's Off-Grid Energy Challenge.
The three Ugandan winning enterprises are; Green Heat Limited, One Lamp Limited, and GRS Commodities.
U.S. Chargé d'Affaires, a.i., Patricia Mahoney congratulates Andrew Sentongo of GRS Commodities Limited.
Green Heat was represented by Vianney Tumwesigye, One Lamp Limited by Derrick Hosea, and GRS Commodities by Andrew Ssentongo.
"Each company will receive a grant of $100,000 (sh334m) to support their initiatives in renewable energy. These are the first such grants awarded in Uganda as part of the Off-Grid Energy Challenge and the Power Africa program," noted a statement from the US embassy in Kampala.
Green Heat led by focuses its efforts on helping farmers in the Teso region by installing biogas digesters to pasteurize and chill milk.
One Lamp created a mobile phone platform to allow rural households to purchase solar products that are delivered directly to the individuals, while GRS Commodities intends to install 40 kilowatts of solar generation capacity on Ssese Islands in Lake Victoria.
U.S. Chargé d'Affaires, a.i., Patricia Mahoney (center) with the three Ugandan winners of the USADF Off-Grid Energy Challenge, and officials from USADF and USAID-Uganda.
U.S. Chargé d'Affaires, Patricia Mahoney, who presided over the awards ceremony, said, "These projects - all local solutions benefitting local communities - are shining examples of how Ugandan entrepreneurs are addressing the pressing needs of their fellow citizens for more access to electricity.
"The United States is committed to identifying, working with, and supporting the many talented Ugandan entrepreneurs like these companies. We hope initiatives like the Off-Grid Energy Challenge will spur greater investment and generate more ideas to benefit all Ugandans as they develop their country."
U.S. Chargé d'Affaires, a.i., Patricia Mahoney congratulates Vianney Tumwesigye of Green Heat (U) Limited.
The Off-Grid Energy Challenge is part of Power Africa's Beyond the Grid initiative, which aims at driving private investment in off-grid and small scale renewable energy solutions.
USADF grants seek to spur energy entrepreneurs using innovative solutions to bridge Uganda's energy and poverty gaps.
US President, Barack Obama, launched Power Africa in 2013 with the goal of doubling access to electricity in sub-Saharan Africa, where more than 600 million people currently lack access, by building partnerships among the private sector, African governments, public funders, and technical institutions.