Uganda’s Ministry of Water and Environment has opened a tender for the supply, installation, and commissioning of four solar energy packages for water supply schemes across the country. Applications are due by March 27, 2025.

The partnership aims to promote clean cooking technologies and improve waste management in the region. Ms Nankabirwa highlighted the Ministry’s initiatives, including tax exemptions and subsidies designed to encourage the use of clean cooking technologies such as LPG, ethanol stoves, and electricity.

This initiative aims to increase access to clean energy technologies such as solar power, clean cooking solutions, and productive energy uses, including water pumps for irrigation. This initiative is not just about energy access; it is about building a sustainable future for Ugandans and contributing to global climate change mitigation efforts.

Farmers in Masindi District are grappling with challenges in the government-supported micro-irrigation project due to high maintenance costs, which threatens the sustainability of the initiative. Under the programme, the government covers 75 percent of the cost of irrigation kits, while farmers are required to contribute 25 percent.

The launch was marred by controversy after reports surfaced that Kyotera County MP, John Paul Mpalanyi, had been spreading false information, claiming that he was responsible for bringing the project to the area.

Electricity Regulatory Authority says it is implementing a shift through which bulky consumers will no longer need intermediaries to buy electricity.

Despite the huge generation capacity, many parts of the country experience load shedding and some people, mainly mothers, live in fear of a possible blackout. The investment in transmission, distribution and good governance of these sectors is needed to supply reliable and affordable electricity.

With technical support from the UNEP-led NDC Action project, Uganda included targets for solar-powered electric cooking in its national climate strategy and has prioritized investments in the technology. The government aims to have 50 per cent of Ugandans cooking with electricity by 2040.