UK ,Uganda partner to advance clean cooking initiatives

The UK government, in collaboration with the Ugandan Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, has launched a significant initiative to promote clean cooking technologies, aiming to reduce reliance on traditional biomass fuels and improve public health outcomes.

This move is part of a broader effort to support Uganda's transition to sustainable energy solutions.

Speaking at the launch event, Kate Airey, the British High Commissioner to Uganda, emphasized the transformative potential of the partnership.

"This is a technological leap forward towards sustainable energy solutions, better health, and environmental conservation," Airey stated.

She highlighted the critical role of local adaptation, noting that the technology had been tailored to meet the specific needs of Ugandans through collaboration with Makerere University and other local institutions.

The initiative will focus on rolling out over 10,000 high-quality electric cooking appliances across the country, with a particular emphasis on reaching 6,000 households in informal settlements.

This effort is aligned with Uganda's ambitious target to transition 65% of its population to cleaner cooking methods by 2030, a goal that both governments are committed to achieving.

Airey praised the leadership of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, which has been instrumental in driving this agenda forward.

The initiative addresses multiple challenges, including the high reliance on charcoal and firewood for cooking, which has significant health and environmental impacts.

Traditional biomass usage is linked to 3.2 million premature deaths annually and contributes to deforestation, increasing the risk of landslides, floods, and droughts.

The UK Government has committed to making clean cooking a global priority, with Uganda being a key partner in this mission.

The program will also establish a high-impact clean cooking unit within Uganda's Ministry of Energy to ensure the initiative's sustainability and success.

Airey said "We are very proud to continue our support in this journey and to play a small part in the significant change that Uganda is poised to achieve."

Minister of Energy and Mineral Development Ruth Nankabirwa called on Ugandans to embrace the shift towards electric cookers, emphasizing the need for media collaboration to drive public awareness and adoption.

Nankabirwa highlighted the government's commitment to ensuring reliable and affordable electricity as the nation transitions away from traditional cooking methods.

She acknowledged the challenges associated with power instability, which have been exacerbated by the increasing load on outdated transformers.

She stressed the importance of upgrading the country's power infrastructure to support the growing number of consumers.

"Each time a new customer gets connected, the old transformer can no longer hold the load," she explained, underscoring the need for more transformers and system upgrades to maintain power reliability.

The minister also addressed concerns over the cost of electricity, arguing that with continued sensitization, the public would come to realize that electric cooking is more economical than using charcoal or other traditional fuels.

"Electricity is becoming cheaper in cooking than using charcoal or any other source," Nankabirwa asserted, citing scientific studies.

Nankabirwa emphasized that the energy sector's liberalization has opened doors for private sector investment, ensuring that Uganda's energy supply remains robust.

In addition to promoting electric cookers, the minister revealed plans to introduce liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as an alternative energy source, especially for households concerned about power reliabi…