Solar energy transforms rural Hoima communities

Light makes the difference in darkness. And the solar lanterns in the oil rich village in Hoima District have made the difference for the rural poor who forked out their hard-earned money to charge their phone and light their homes.

Obbo says this is a consistent power source that never runs out, and users of solar energy do not have to worry about monthly bills.

“Solar panels are reliable, while the solar lamps being promoted are locally assembled and are cheaper than the imported lamps,” she said, adding, “The locally made lamps can be easily serviced and maintained by local community members once they are trained and solar is environmentally friendly, with no health impacts compared to fossil fuels which release greenhouses gases, carcinogens and carbon dioxide and increase climate change effects.”

Poor man’s power source
The researcher says most of Uganda’s current energy and electricity supply is generated from hydro, oil, and natural gas. These traditional energy sources, however, face a number of challenges including volatile prices, security concerns, and environmental impacts stemming from both the extraction and burning of fossil fuels.

Generating electricity through renewable energy sources, like solar, can help to reduce over dependence on fossil fuels as well as lower the amount of pollution associated with today’s largely fossil based power generation methods. For communities, solar energy option can facilitate development and improve livelihoods.

Kyapoloni communities have already identified four people (local artisans with electrical skills) from amongst themselves to be further trained in assembling and maintenance of the solar lamps. These four people will in turn train other community members in managing their own lamps and assist communities in case of any problem.

mssebuyira@ug.nationmedia.com