UK injects Shs 33 Billion in clean cooking initiative

The programme has a budget of approximately £7 million or about Shs 33billion and aims to benefit thousands of households across the country. It focuses on three main components: the establishment of a Clean Cooking Unit within the Ministry of Energy to coordinate the national clean cooking strategy, support for urban authorities in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA) to deliver market-led solutions, and the expansion of a nationwide supply chain for efficient electric cooking appliances.

30,000 to benefit

One of the key objectives of the programme is to support at least 6,000 households in the GKMA, particularly those in informal settlements, by providing access to clean cooking technologies. This will benefit approximately 30,000 people. The programme will also develop scalable business models to address the barriers to accessing clean cooking solutions, ensuring the deployment of appropriate technologies to the most underserved markets.

The programme will additionally focus on training at least 600 Ugandan technicians in the maintenance and repair of electric cooking appliances and aims to distribute 10,000 high-quality electric cookers across the country. A national standards and labelling programme will be developed, and 100 schools will pilot the use of electric cooking in their institutions.

The launch of this programme builds on innovative research piloted by Loughborough University and the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP). The introduction of modern energy cooking services, particularly the use of Electric Pressure Cookers (EPCs), is expected to revolutionise cooking by offering faster, safer, and more environmentally friendly options compared to traditional methods.

H.E. Kate Airey, the British High Commissioner to Uganda, emphasised the UK's commitment to supporting clean energy initiatives, highlighting that efficient electric cooking not only simplifies the cooking process but also contributes to Uganda's energy and climate goals. Uganda’s Minister for Energy, Hon. Dr. Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu, acknowledged the importance of transitioning from traditional fuels like firewood and charcoal, which are becoming increasingly scarce and unaffordable, to more sustainable solutions like electric cooking.

The programme will also include a public awareness campaign to promote eCooking adoption, targeting schools, cultural and religious institutions, and other public spaces. This comprehensive approach is expected to drive the adoption of electric cooking technologies, contributing to environmental conservation, improving household health, and reducing the time and cost of cooking for Ugandan families.