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UK unveils UGX24 billion clean cooking initiative

Peter 12th Aug, 2024 Energy Pedson Mumbere
UK unveils UGX24 billion clean cooking initiative

The launch event featured live cooking demonstrations, aimed at providing attendees with a hands-on experience of the new technology.


The United Kingdom has launched an initiative aimed at revolutionizing Uganda’s cooking practices as part of an ambitious effort to transition 65% of Uganda’s population to cleaner cooking methods by 2030.

Speaking at the launch at residence in Kampala, British High Commissioner Kate Airey, said the project would revolutionize cooking by combining convenience, efficiency, and versatility enabling users at household, institutional, and business levels to prepare meals faster, safely, and in a cleaner environment.

The initiative, valued at EUR 5 million (approximately UGX 23.7 billion), aims at promoting the use of advanced technologies, such as electric pressure cookers, which offer a range of benefits including fast and efficient cooking, enhanced safety, and significant energy and cost savings.

  • Energy and Mineral Development Minister Ruth Nankabirwa hailed the United Kingdom for the project saying it marked a significant milestone in Uganda’s journey to overcome barriers, generate evidence, and expand the e-cooking industry.

Officials said the ambitious program focuses on three main components designed to overhaul Uganda’s cooking landscape.

First is the establishment of a Clean Cooking Unit at Uganda’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, whose role would be to lead the country’s clean cooking efforts, enhance coordination among stakeholders, and attract further financing for the sector.

  • The second component is to provide support for Urban Clean Cooking Solutions mainly targeting urban areas, particularly in the greater Kampala Metropolitan Area, to facilitate market-driven clean cooking solutions for at least 6,000 households in informal settlements.

The program will also focus on developing scalable business models that address barriers to clean cooking access, promoting the use of suitable technologies in hard-to-reach markets.

Additionally, it will train 600 Ugandan technicians in the repair and maintenance of these appliances, develop a national standards and labelling program, and pilot electric cooking in 100 schools across the country.

The launch event also featured live cooking demonstrations, providing attendees with a hands-on experience of the new technology. Additionally, the National Renewable Energy Platform (NREP) will spearhead a behavior change campaign to accelerate e-cooking adoption across Uganda.

This outreach will include activities in schools, cultural and religious institutions, and public spaces, aiming to raise awareness and encourage widespread use of clean cooking technologies.

  • The new clean cooking initiative represents a significant investment in Uganda’s future, offering a path to more sustainable and efficient cooking practices.
  • As this project unfolds, it is expected to not only improve the quality of life for many Ugandans but also contribute to broader environmental and economic benefits.

Nankabirwa explained that the new project builds on previous support from the UK Government, which included the development of Uganda’s National e-Cooking Strategy, whose objective is to increase the adoption of electric cooking from the current 1% to 18% by 2030.

Traditionally, the majority of Ugandans use an open fire using three stones to support the cooking pot. This method is common in rural areas and involves using firewood as the fuel. Charcoal is a popular fuel source in both urban and rural areas.

Using firewood for cooking has several environmental, health, and economic effects including deforestation, air pollution and carbon emissions that cause climate change. Additionally, inhalation of smoke and particulate matter from burning firewood can cause respiratory problems such as chronic bronchitis, asthma, and other lung diseases.

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