PSFU reinforcing private sector

By Vision Reporter

When most people debate about the need to grow the economy, their first thought is Government’s role. For sure, Government should create and encourage the creation of an environment that will ensure prosperity and sustainable economic growth. But a free-market approach like Uganda’s favours giving a larger role to private sector enterprises with liberalisation of markets, structural economic reforms to boost incentives for people and businesses.

Supporters of the private sector are certain that the wealth generated from private sector activity and investment can have a huge positive effect on prospects for countries at every stage of development, counting employment of the masses. The sheer prominence of the private sector in any country’s development and the citizen’s wellbeing cannot be overemphasised.

In that regard, Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) is without doubt Uganda’s apex body for the private sector. Made up of over 175 business associations, corporate bodies and major public sector agencies; PSFU has served as a focal point for private sector advocacy as well as capacity building and continues to sustain a positive policy dialogue with Government on behalf of the private sector since its founding in 1995.

PSFU has been Government’s implementation partner for several projects and programmes aimed at strengthening the private sector as an engine of economic growth.


PSFU projects and their impact

PSFU through various projects has led to a number of achievements. It has improved firm level capacities, human resource development, improved access to business finance, institutional and legal frameworks as well as infrastructure building.

PSFU manages a number of private sector related projects geared towards strengthening private sector development and competitiveness; for example the Private Sector Competitiveness Projects funded by the Government of Uganda (GOU) and the World Bank; Business Uganda Development Scheme, Energy for Rural Transformation funded by the GOU/World Bank; Business Uganda Development Scheme supported by UKAID through the Department for International Development, among others.

The Second Private Sector Competitiveness Project, a Government of Uganda/ World Bank funded project managed by Private Sector Foundation Uganda has supported infrastructure and financial services. It focused on the development of Kampala Industrial Business Park implemented by Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) and financial sector deepening.

It also aimed to support firm level competiveness. Over 3,000 micro, small and medium enterprises benefited. Other innovative programmes under this include
Business Plan Competition, Enterprise Skills and Linkages Programme, Business Branding, Technology Acquisition Fund for exports and Better Business Awards, among others.

It was likewise geared towards improving the business environment in Uganda including the legal framework undertaken by the Uganda Law Reform Commission, Business Registration by Uganda Registry Services Bureau, Land Management and Administration by the Ministry of Lands Housing and Urban Development and strengthening Public, Private Partnerships by Private Sector Foundation Uganda.

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A participant (left) receives a certificate after training in financial literacy organised by PSFU and supported by Centenary Bank and Abi Trust. PSFU organises training for the business community

Strengthened Public-Private Partnerships

PSFU increased interest, awareness and participation by the Private Sector in national, regional and global trade issues and negotiations; local and regional recognition in Uganda Government and other countries such as Rwanda, Tanzania, Burundi, Kenya, Southern Sudan and Development Partners.

Energy for Rural Transformation

Private Sector Foundation Uganda manages a component of the Energy for Rural Transformation Project, a Government of Uganda project funded by the World Bank. PSFU provides targeted technical assistance to enhance private sector engagement in renewable energy business and saving of energy. To that effect, there has been power improvement in industries, leading to saving of energy for use by other consumers, and reduced demand charges and penalties previously paid by the industries that have benefitted from this support.

There has been promotion of uptake of solar water heaters especially by the hospitality sector and private hospitals. This support has provided secure and constant supply of warm water for the institutions (especially where there is no electricity grid), has contributed to reduction in utility bills as the institutions shift from electric water heaters to solar water heaters, and contributes to reduction of peak load from the electricity grid

Pre-investment studies for renewable energy projects, provided two mini hydro projects promoted by Ugandan developers. The support has assisted the project developers to secure equity and they are now finalising debt acquisition so that they commence construction of the two mini hydro projects

Business Uganda Development Scheme

PSFU through the Government of Uganda has been implementing the Business Uganda Development Scheme supported by UKAID through the Department for International Development.

Through the project intervention, the Scheme committed up to £4,408,531 to 351 approved activities in 40 out of the 55 districts under the Post Conflict and Recovery Development Plan. As a result, activities such as business development services, agro processing and manufacturing equipment, traction and post-harvest storage facilities have been supported.

Total projections for employment created as a result of the project intervention stands at 2,004 direct and 56,229 indirect jobs.

Committed funds in monetary terms went to micro and small enterprises, medium enterprises, large enterprises, and associations and cooperative organisations.

There was a minimum of 521 direct and 28,679 indirect jobs created in micro and small businesses, while in medium sized companies created the majority of employment including 1,061 direct and 28,679 indirect jobs.

There has also been a significant number of direct jobs (400) accrued from support to cooperative entities in the Acholi and Lango sub regions.

Capacity Building

Through the capacity building programme, PSFU organises trainings for strengthening the business community in the areas of; association governance, financial management, accountability, budget analysis and policy analysis. This has helped them to become more competitive not only in Uganda but regionally and internationally.

In addition, PSFU also organises mentorship programmes, networking activities, internship placements, business guidance and counselling, institutional support to member associations, business linkages for members and Business Development Support (BDS).

By Gilbert Kidimu

Solar heaters for home use

Most people would be lying if they deny loathing that cold shower in the morning. You may compare it to waking up for morning preps back in high school. But paying those hefty electricity bills after using electric water heaters for a month is no walk in the park either. The obvious cheaper option is usually the charcoal stove (gas is not cheap) which takes ages to light.

No doubt hot water in the home is an essential requirement and since it is estimated that the cost of using electric water heaters accounts for over 33% of the average household electricity bill, a cheaper, workable option is a lifeline. Understandably solar hot water heaters are becoming increasingly popular not just owing to their ecological benefits from using renewable energy sources, but most importantly because the energy is largely free.

With the solar water heater, cold water is fed into the integral storage tanks from where it circulates through the adjacent solar collector using the principal known as thermosyphon that results from the temperature differential between the top and the bottom of the unit. The collector is a series of capillaries attached to copper sheeting that collects the sun’s energy and heats the water as it flows through. Hot water is then stored in the insulated tank for use when required.

Dayliff Solar Water Heaters also feature an auxiliary electric heater as standard so that hot water can also be supplied when the sun’s energy is low.

Selecting a solar heater

Solar heaters are available in different sizes depending upon demand and available solar irradiation levels. Dayliff systems are supplied in three basic sizes with options of 160l, 220l and 320l tank capacity which typically are suitable for households of five, seven and ten people.

The amount of irradiation is also important so systems are supplied in two specification levels, one having a larger collector area for more temperate climates. Generally the tanks are fitted on a frame together with the collector and sit above it on the roof. However, for aesthetic reasons this is sometimes not acceptable and it is possible to fit the tank under the roof providing it is above the top rail of the collector. This requires a sufficient roof pitch.

Also available are the option of direct and indirect systems, the latter being applicable if the feed water is lightly mineralised with a tendency to corrode and block the capillaries. They work by separating the feed water and the heating water, which circulates through the collector to a jacket around the tank and transfers heat to the feed water by conduction.

Solar Water Heater Installation

There are three golden rules of solar heaters installation; they must be exposed to as much direct sunlight as possible and so must not be shaded, installed at a pitch of about 150 and the main axis oriented North-South with the panel facing South in the Northern hemisphere and vice versa. By following these simple rules the heat input will be maximised. It is also important to ensure that the system is suitably plumbed so hot and cold water pressures at the outlets are the same. This is simply done by arranging the solar heater’s feed from the main cold water supply.

Solar Heater Usage

As there is only heat energy in the day, solar-heated water is only available once in a 24-hour period; if it is used in the evening there will be insufficient in the morning. All Dayliff heaters are therefore provided with an electric booster heater that can be fitted with a timer so hot water is available in the morning. If electricity is not available hot water use must be managed accordingly.

Unquestionably solar hot water systems are effective and of course save considerable power costs. Considering their inherent advantages as well as legislation that is making the fitting of solar heaters compulsory on new buildings, their application will increase.

If correctly sized and installed they are now both highly effective and reliable, though it is also important that they are robust and designed for high efficiency. Dayliff solar heaters are tried and tested and with the benefits of a high efficiency Turkish sourced collectors and long life GRP cased tanks, are particularly suitable for local conditions. Dayliff systems are also backed by experienced application engineers who will ensure a properly specified and engineered installation. They are the ideal solutions to all solar heating requirements.

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