East African Business Week

Mbale, Uganda-Government has called for efficient use of energy and adoption of renewable sources of energy as quicker alternatives to the improvement of the energy supply situation and load shedding in the country.
"Government is aware that Ugandans are finding it hard to run their businesses amidst high costs of power on top of it being minimal causing obstacles for the development," the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Mrs. Irene Muloni said during the opening of the Energy Efficiency exhibition in Mbale (Eastern Uganda).
"It is imperative therefore that Ugandans should collaborate on mechanisms to initiate energy saving means and implement them for Ugandans to continue with their activities," Muloni added.
She said the government is working towards increasing the generation capacity and transmission network while increasing access to modern energy services through rural electrification and renewable energy development.
"Load shedding will be reduced with the release of the 50MW from Bujagali power plant by late November and saving the available energy by all other users at the same time," Muloni explained.
She observed that there is need for the adoption of solar systems, energy saving charcoal and firewood stoves while the government works on the completion of Bujagali hydro power project.
"With support from the German government, we are implementing the promotion of renewable and efficient energy that is mainly tasked to reach Ugandans without access to energy and modern energy7 services," Muloni said.
"More than 700,000 household stoves and institutional stoves have been disseminated in different parts of the country to reduce fuel usage."
Muloni advised institutions dealing in energy saving charcoal and firewood stoves to partner with the government in extending the ser5vices to the entire republic of Uganda.
While launching the function in Kampala, State Minister for Minerals Mr. Peter Lokeris said that the cheapest energy available is the energy saved.
"The cost of producing energy is high therefore it is cheaper to a unit of electricity than generating it by other means," Lokeris said. Lokeris urged households to plant trees for both energy and environment conservation.
Uganda's ambassador to Kenya, Mrs. Angelina Wapakhabulo also at the exhibition advocated for the adoption of solar systems that are both cost effective and environmentally friendly.
"The solar systems may seem expensive to install but cut costs because of nil additional charges after full installation of the entire system," explained Wapakhabulo.
This she said referring to the solar systems at the exhibition lighting and phone charging allowances.
Mbale District LC5 Chairman Mr. Bernard Mujaasi called for combined effort amidst the high energy prices with a sac of charcoal going for as high as Ushs 80,000 ($28).