Clean Energy
By Kato Paul
Katop.adyeeri@gmail.com
As the parliament is in the preparation of the National Budget for the financial year 2022/2023, they need to think about the investment of the clean energy sector to reduce the pressure that is being imposed on the critical eco-systems like the forests and the wetland.
Recently some districts in Uganda like Isingiro, Adjumani , Buyenda and Kaliro among have already started facing the big problem of getting fire wood because most of the forests and wetland have been finished already.
According to statistics, an estimated 90% of Ugandans rely on charcoal and firewood as a source of energy. Due to many areas continuing to use biomass, it has made the energy source of choice due to unavailability or unaffordable prices of other alternatives like gas and electricity.
The government needs to invest much in the clean energy sector especially the solar which is the reliable, affordable and clean which will help to reduce the reduce on the massive deforestation that is taking place across the country.
In addition to that, solar energy will also help in the running of the small scale businesses which create a number of the job to unemployed youth across the country.
It is noted that according to the Uganda Bureau of statistics national housing survey, only 19% of the Ugandans have access to grid electricity. The survey noted an increase of in solar power usage from less than 20% to 30%.
This means that most of the Ugandans are still depending much on the sensitive eco-systems for charcoal and firewood, still in darkness and those that are connected to power, the cannot afford to pay the connection fees and bills because of the high tariffs.
As the parliament and Ministry of finance, planning and economic development plans to come up with the National Budget for the financial year 2022/2023, they need to think about the usage of the solar energy in the country. This will reduce the high pressure imposed on the forests and wetlands and at the same time mitigating the negative impacts of the climate change.
Research associate at Africa Institute for Energy Governance.
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