Uganda is making changes in how its people cook. The government, in partnership with the Buganda Kingdom, has started a clean cooking campaign to reduce the use of charcoal and firewood. This follows a presidential order that initially banned the charcoal trade in Northern Uganda, with plans to extend the ban to all cities that have access to electricity.
The move towards cleaner cooking is driven by several concerns. Charcoal is not only costly, at up to Shs150,000 per sack, but it also poses health and environmental risks. Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa pointed out these problems during the campaign launch at Bulange, Mengo, stressing the need for affordable and sustainable alternatives.
The government is looking into different alternatives. One key option is using gas from Uganda’s oil reserves, which will be available once production begins. In the meantime, subsidised gas is being imported from Tanzania. An inter-ministerial committee is working on a project to build a natural gas pipeline from Tanzania to Uganda to improve access to cleaner energy.
The government has also introduced subsidies for clean cooking technologies, ranging from 30 to 50 percent. An agreement with the Global Gas Group will see the distribution of 500,000 gas cylinders over the next ten years, which will be given free of charge to Ugandans to make cleaner cooking more affordable.
Despite these efforts, there are still challenges. High costs for electricity connections and limited infrastructure make it hard for many households to adopt cleaner technologies.
Connecting to the national grid can cost more than Shs2.5 million, and electricity rates can be as high as Shs1,000 per unit, adding to the financial strain.
The Buganda Kingdom has pledged its support, building on previous partnerships in areas such as health, education, and the environment.
The kingdom’s Second Deputy Katikkiro, Twaha Kawase Kigongo, stressed the importance of using resources sustainably, especially given Uganda’s rapidly growing population. With over 45 million people, the competition for resources like firewood, land, and water is increasing.