Clean energy is defined as energy from renewable sources that produce minimal environmental impact and do not deplete natural resources.
In the Acholi Sub-region, environmental activists are calling on the government to lower the prices of alternative clean energy sources for cooking to address the growing dependence on wood fuel.
This plea comes amid a charcoal shortage following the enforcement of Executive Order No.3, which bans the commercial production, transportation, and trade of charcoal in the region.
Last month, the army’s operation to cut off key supply routes for commercial charcoal dealers led to a significant spike in charcoal prices. In Gulu City, the cost of charcoal has surged to between Ugx70,000 and Ugx 80,000, double the previous price of Ugx35,000 to Ugx40,000.
The drastic increase has heightened the urgency for affordable clean energy alternatives to alleviate the strain on traditional fuel sources and support sustainable energy practices in the region.
George Ovola, an environmental activist with the group Our Trees We Need Answers, says the recent spike in charcoal prices is too high for most people in the region to afford.
According to Ovola, while gas and electricity could be alternatives, their prices are still prohibitively expensive for many households, both in cities and rural areas.
“We need electricity prices to be more regulated so more people in cities can use it for cooking. Gas is too costly because we import it,” Ovola told reporters in Gulu.
Apparently, a six-kilogram gas cylinder costs between 145,000 and 178,000 shillings, with refilling costs ranging from Ugx50,000 to Ugx53,000.
Ovola also argues that instead of a total ban on charcoal, the government should promote sustainable charcoal production for home use.
“The government needs to educate people about responsible charcoal use rather than just enforcing a ban. People need to understand that taking care of our environment is their responsibility,” he said.
Desmond Anywar, founder of Inter-generational Action on Environment, adds that the free market complicates efforts to lower the cost of gas cylinders.
“It’s challenging to regulate prices because sellers set their own prices. Without market regulation, lowering costs is difficult,” Anywar explained.
He also notes that electricity remains too expensive for cooking for many households, with most people using it mainly for lighting and entertainment rather than cooking.
Anywar believes that while making alternative energy sources more affordable won’t eliminate charcoal use, it will make them a viable option for more people.
He suggests that regulating charcoal production for domestic use could help protect forests from over-exploitation.
Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa has said the government is working on reducing electricity costs and is in talks with Global Gases to establish a factory for manufacturing gas cylinders in Uganda.
This factory is expected to produce 500,000 cylinders annually and sell them at lower prices. “We’re focusing on northern Uganda to address the charcoal crisis and make alternative energy more affordable,” Nankabirwa added.
According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, 21% of Ugandans still rely on charcoal for cooking, while 73% use firewood. The Uganda National Household Survey 2019/2020 shows that only 18.9% of Ugandans have access to on-grid electricity, mostly in urban areas.
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