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Why more Ugandans have found solace in solar energy

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Solar panels on a house. PHOTO/FILE

For years, many villages across the country have endured darkness due to lack of hydroelectric power. In Mpaama Village, located in Eastern Division, Ntungamo Municipality, most households relied heavily on kerosene lamps, locally known as tadooba, for lighting.

These lamps were a common sight, illuminating homes, bars, and village parties. However, the once-dark village has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past five years. Today, almost every household in Mpaama uses solar-powered systems as their primary source of light.

Residents have embraced solar energy, citing its affordability compared to hydroelectric power, which they found prohibitive due to high connectivity costs and monthly bills.

The National Population Housing Census Report of 2024 reveals a broader shift across the country towards clean energy.

Solar emerged as the leading source of lighting in households, accounting for 28.1 percent of usage, while LPG lamps were the least used, at just 2.4 percent.

But in 2014, the National Housing Population Census indicated that the majority of households (52 percent) usedtadooba as the main source of energy for lighting while about 20 percent used electricity.

The government’s efforts through its programmes on rural electrification have increased the coverage of electricity in rural and urban areas. According to the 2014 census report, the use of electricity for lighting in rural areas increased from 3 percent in 2002 to 10 percent in 2014 and to 25.3 percent as of 2024.

Today, the overall, use of clean energy for lighting now stands at 75 percent, representing 8,072,981 households nationwide according to the 2024 census report. Solar, as one of the primary clean energy sources, remains the most commonly used, outpacing other options.

Of the 10,698,913 households in Uganda documented in the census report, 3,006,732 households (28.1 percent) relied on solar energy as their main source of lighting. Electricity, both grid and mini-grid, was used by 2,706,626 households (25.3 percent), while dry battery cells or battery-powered flashlights accounted for 1,238,507 households (11.6 percent).

Meanwhile, kerosene lamps is used by 998,308 households (9.3 percent).

At the beginning of this year, the government through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development announced a reduction in power tariffs for January to March.

According to a new tariff announced by ERA, a unit for domestic consumers that was Shs796.1 per unit by December last year, will now be Shs775.7 for the next three months.

However, both local leaders and residents continue to argue that despite the government through the rural electrification programme having tried to extend power to rural communities across the country, monthly tariffs and installation fees are still high and that is why people have shifted to the use of solar.

The Ntoroko District chairperson, Mr William Kasoro, in an interview with this publication last Saturday, said of the 10 sub-counties in the area, five remain without electricity connections and even in the sub-counties with access to electricity, many families are not connected due to the high cost of connectivity.

He said this challenge has led many residents to turn to solar power as an alternative because of its affordability.

“Our people have long complained about the high costs of connecting electricity to their homes. Purchasing a treated electricity pole costs more than Shs1 million, and if a house requires three or more poles, it becomes unaffordable for the average citizen. People have realised it is much cheaper to use solar energy,” said Mr Kasoro.

He called for reduction in the cost of connection fees and electricity poles, saying this would make electricity more accessible.

Ms Olivia Katusabe, who operates a shop selling solar systems in Fort Portal City, said most of her clients come from villages. The solar systems she offers range from Shs200,000 to Shs5 million, with the majority of clients purchasing systems for lighting their homes.

“Solar is affordable now, and it can do everything you need if you have enough money. You can buy a system to power a fridge, iron clothes, or other appliances. However, most people in the village purchase solar for lighting. In a day, I can’t fail to sell more than three solar systems priced between Shs300,000 and Shs600, 000,” she explained.

A source from Umeme, who preferred anonymity, said the cost of connecting electricity depends on the distance from the transmission line to a home.

For example, if a household requires three electricity poles, the cost can range from Shs4 million to Shs6 million to complete the connection.

Ms Mary Nankunda, a resident of Kafujo Village in Ntungamo District, said her village is not connected to electricity because the power poles stopped at the neighbouring village, Mpaama and as a result her family turned to solar energy three years ago after waiting in vain for electricity connectivity.

“Ever since I got married, leaders have been promising us power connectivity. It’s now over three electoral terms, and we haven’t seen anyone coming to survey our area. It feels like they want us to remain in darkness. Every family here now uses solar because it’s cheaper compared to electricity,” she said.

Ms Nankunda said she installed a small solar panel system costing Shs500,000, which includes five lights
and it has taken a year without requiring servicing. She added that she also uses it to charge mobile phones.

“The initial installation cost was manageable at just Shs100,000. I’ve realised long-term savings, and now I don’t wor-
ry about electricity bills or my children doing their homework in the dark,” she added.

Mr Kiiza Keneth Nyendwoha, the Member of Parliament for Bujenje County in Masindi District, said growing awareness of environmental sustainability has also contributed to the shift toward solar energy use since the use of solar aligns with global efforts to combat climate change by reducing carbon emissions.

“Subsidised solar kits, flexible payment plans, and community training programmes have made solar solutions accessible even to low-income house-holds,” he said.

Mr Rogers Kanti from Masindi Municipality explained that the high cost of electricity in Uganda has deterred many households, with many people frequently reporting that monthly electricity tariffs exceed their budgets, making it difficult to sustain.

“We used to rely on electricity, but the bills kept rising. With solar energy, I’ve significantly reduced my energy costs,”
Mr Kanti said.

Mr James Kato, a farmer in Kamwenge District, said he purchased a solar kit from a local distributor at Shs600,000, which includes lights and a portable radio, saying it is more affordable compared to the recurring expenses of
monthly electricity bills.

“When I am using my solar system, I don’t worry about power blackouts or running out of tokens. As long as there’s
sunshine, I am assured that my house will be lit at night, and I can charge my phone without needing to travel
to town. I also bought a screen, so now I can watch the news at home, and my children can study at night,” he said.

Mr Kato added that even if hydroelectricity was extended to his village, very few people could afford to have it installed in their homes.

Ms Sarah Tumushabe, a shopkeeper in Butungama Sub-county, Ntoroko District, said solar energy has significantly transformed her business and despite her area being connected to electricity, many residents prefer solar energy due to its sustainability, especially in remote areas.

“We only see electricity poles with wires passing over our houses. Before we can connect, service providers have
to inspect our houses, and the process requires more money compared to solar. If you’re using electricity and there’s
an issue, you have to wait for service providers to reconnect you, which can take over a year,” she explained.

Ms Tumushabe said in 2022, she invested Shs800,000 in a medium-sized solar system that powers her shop and a charging phone station for customers and said when she inquired about installing electricity, she discovered it would cost more than Shs1.5 million, making solar a more practical choice for her business.

Mr Kenneth Kiiza, a resident of Kinogozi B, Kisiita Ward, Karujubu Division in Masindi Municipality, opted for solar energy due to the high cost of connecting to the national electricity grid.

“I wanted to install electricity in my house but when I visited Umeme offices, I was asked to pay Shs1 million for an electric pole since none was near my house. I then decided to invest in a solar system,”Mr Kiiza explained.

Solar energy uptake 
According to the 2024 census report, certain sub-regions have emerged as leaders in the use of solar energy for lighting. Tooro leads with 49.2 percent, followed by Bunyoro at 47.9 percent, Ankole at 43.6 percent and Rwenzori at 32 percent.
In Rwenzori Sub-region, districts such as Bundibugyo, Kasese, and Ntoroko showcase the increasing adoption of solar lighting.

In Bundibugyo, 17,826 households use solar, while 8,661 households (14.7 percent) rely on electricity. Kasese
District has 61,432 households using solar compared to 44,884 households (23.2 percent) using electricity. In Ntoroko District, 7,891 households use solar, while only 1,707 households (8.5percent) use electricity.