More than 3,000 Ugandans benefit from govt clean energy initiative

More than 3,000 Ugandans are currently benefiting from a government-backed plan aimed at expanding the use of affordable, reliable, and thermally efficient energy in the country, The Observer has learned.

This was revealed by Dr Emi Wasirwa, CEO of Wana Energy Solutions, a company contracted to supply clean cooking appliances to Ugandans. In August, 2024, the UK government, in partnership with the government of Uganda through the ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD), launched a £5 million, two-year Clean Cooking Programme in Kampala.

The initiative aims to establish a high impact Clean Cooking Unit within MEMD, facilitated through the Global Green Growth Institute. The program targets the delivery of clean cooking solutions to 6,000 households (approximately 30,000 people) living in informal settlements, implemented in partnership with ICLEI Africa.

According to Wana Energy Solutions, about 75% of households in Kampala live in informal settlements, and 65% of the city’s population still relies on charcoal for cooking.

“Most people in these areas do odd jobs, earning unstable incomes. That means the only kind of energy they can often afford is charcoal, which is sold in small portions,” Dr Wasirwa said.

He noted that many people in informal settlements believe that clean energy technologies such as electric pressure cookers and gas, are only for wealthier households which is not true. These technologies are affordable and accessible.

With government support, Wana Energy introduced a Pay-As-You-Go model to make clean energy more accessible. Under this system, Ugandans can take home gas cylinders or electric cookers and pay what they can afford similar to purchasing mobile airtime. Once their balance runs out, they simply top up to continue using the service.

“You pay what you have, just like airtime. When it runs out, you can’t cook until you recharge. We have seen a great uptake with this model,” Wasirwa explained.

“So far, we have reached around 8,500 people with electric pressure cookers. Currently, about 2,000 clients are using Pay-As-You-Go electric cookers, and another 500 are using the system for gas,” he said.

The campaign is active in areas such as Kirinya, Kasokoso, Nansana, Bwaise, Kisenyi and other Kampala informal settlements.