Promoting access to clean energy

Uganda is endowed with numerous natural resources, notably abundant biomass, water, solar, peat, geothermal, wind, oil mineral and gas resources, with a potential of up to 5300MW.

However, of all these, water and biomass are the most significantly utilized. These two resources contribute a great deal to meeting the energy demands of Uganda's population.

The uneven use of available resources has led to insufficient supply of energy, a situation that is aggravated by consumers' mostly inefficient use of the little energy that is available.

It has further placed the country among the lowest consumers of modern and clean energy, both in sub-Saharan Africa and the world.

In 2007, the government of Uganda came up with the renewable energy policy to among others, diversify the energy supply sources and mechanisms.

This was aimed at promoting energy security and independence. The policy was also based on the need to address the challenges in the renewable energy sector, as well as threats posed by the increasing energy prices, environmental degradation, climate change, as well as government's commitment to poverty and gender responsive energy actions.

The government is increasing using solar to power health centres in rural areas

Clean energy

This year's theme for the Energy Week is; Access to clean energy, the bridge to sustainable development.

According to energy minister Irene Muloni, the theme was chosen in relation to Goal Seven of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which calls for universal access to affordable and clean energy by 2030.

"Energy is vital for economic development and that is why the Government has promised it in its development plan. All key sectors of the economy, notably, transport, industry, commerce, education, health, agriculture, Information Communication Technology (ICT), tourism, mining, and all other sectors need adequate reliable and affordable energy for them to function effectively," Muloni says.

The minister adds that it is on this basis that the government is committed to expanding the renewable energy generation capacity, and as of now, several renewable energy projects totaling over 125 MW are under construction while others are being studied. CLICK HERE FOR MORE ON THIS STORY

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MINISTRY OF ENERGY AND MINERAL DEVELOPMENT