n Rwenzori Convention Halln
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| 08:30 – 10:30 | Health as the central driver for electric cooking adoption |
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It is estimated that over 700 million people living in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are dependent on polluting biomass fuels (such as wood and charcoal) for household cooking. The limited access to clean cooking globally contributes to 3.7 million premature deaths annually, with women and children most at risk. Indeed, poor indoor air quality is a leading cause of premature death worldwide. For instance, in Africa, women and children account for 60% of early deaths related to smoke inhalation and indoor air pollution. In Uganda, the World Health Organization estimated that 23,000 people, mostly women and children lose lives annually. Dirty cooking options contribute to respiratory complications and cardiovascular diseases, hence death. Unfortunately, the correlation between the health complications and dirty cooking options remains least pronounced in developing countries. Although clean cooking options have largely been perceived to be costly, several households spend significant amounts of money treating health complications emanating from the use of dirty cooking options. This session will attract public health, clean cooking and policy experts to discuss avenues of promoting electric cooking options leveraging their health and long-term financial benefits. Session Chair: Zahra Namuli, Journalist/ Comms Specialist, CLEAN-Air Programme Keynote Speech: Prof. E. D. Brown, Research Director, MECS Discussants:
Partner: UK Aid, MECS, UNACC |
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| 10:30 – 13:00 | Designing holistic energy access plans: Where does electric cooking fit in? |
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Countries with relatively higher electricity generation and low clean cooking access rates are not making sufficient use of electricity for cooking purposes. For instance, Uganda has a long-standing history of maintaining a relatively high electricity generation level from renewable energy resources but continues to have lower usage of that electricity for cooking purposes. Uganda has made strides in setting electric cooking targets as part of its clean cooking energy mix for 2040 and 2050 in its Energy Transition Plan. Its plan, however, assumes a conservative approach to projecting the share of electric cooking in the energy mix. It anticipates that low-income households will have difficulties in affording electricity for cooking. The roadmap gives top priority to improved biomass cookstoves and LPG, assigning them the largest share in the clean cooking mix. This session will discuss appropriately electric cooking would be integrated in the country’s clean cooking targets. Moderator: Ronald Ssejjuko, Project Manager, GGGI Discussants:
Partner: UK Aid, MECS, UNACC |
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| 13:00 – 14:00 | Lunch Break |
| Restaurant & Exhibition Area | |
| 14:00 – 15:30 | Financing Clean Cooking |
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The world continues to fall short in its efforts to achieve universal access to clean cooking by 2030, with disparities in clean cooking access rates persisting across different regions. The 2023 edition of the Tracking SDG 7 report reveals that, although the global population without access to clean cooking decreased from 2.9 billion in 2010 to 2.3 billion in 2021, the current trajectory suggests that 1.9 billion individuals will still lack access to clean cooking by 2030. Access to clean cooking is not only crucial for achieving the goal of universal energy access; it is also vital to livelihoods, as the use of inefficient and traditional cooking fuels is harmful to human health, the climate and the environment. Meeting the universal access goal for clean cooking by 2030 will require significant increases in financing, investment and policy support for clean cooking worldwide. Countries have defined strategies that encompass a mix of renewable and non-renewable solutions, depending on factors such as local conditions, resource availability, consumer preference and affordability. Within those strategies, renewable-based clean cooking solutions – including biogas, bioethanol, solid biomass and renewable-based electricity – are often given less attention in the policy and investment discourse compared to other clean cooking options, despite the benefits they offer over their fossil fuel-based counterparts. This session will discuss financing avenues for clean cooking interventions in Uganda. Session Chair: Caroline Amollo, Director for Corporate Affairs, Burn Manufacturing Co. Discussants:
Partner: UK Aid, MECS, UNACC |
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| 15:30 – 17:00 | Cleaning the energy market: Adherence to cooking standards and quality |
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There is a larger volume of standards for the more mature technologies and they are typically more in-depth. Involvement in the standards-making process is strongest when there are financial incentives, as illustrated by the case of standards for solar photovoltaics. Furthermore, the inventory also shows that while certain aspects concerning post-installation of renewable energy equipment, such as operation, maintenance and repair, are included in some standards, there is still potential for their further development. Standards provide an important element in protecting consumers, particularly where they have little or no choice in what they are offered. Many rural communities in developing countries do not have the luxury of being able to compare features and select their supplier or product from facilities such as the internet. In such cases, standards and quality assurance mechanisms can ensure that whatever product or service is available performs as specified, is reliable, durable and safe. This session will bring together standards makers and enforcers to discuss how the market can be safeguarded from counterfeits by upholding the set product and service standards and quality. Session Chair: Carine Buma, Project Manager, ICLEI Africa Discussants:
Partner: UK Aid, MECS |
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n Kabalega Halln
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| 08:30 – 10:30 | Result based financing: Experiences and lessons for Uganda |
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To incentivize the provision of energy services, create, expand market, or stimulate innovation, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development and her partners have been promoting Result based financing (RBF) incentives, a form of payment by Results approach. RBF have been tagged to new electricity connections, clean cooking and productive use of energy services. Across the country, the share of funding disbursed upfront and on delivery has varied based on context, design of verification actors and perceived or real risk appropriate. Given such variations in the implementation, the RBF market approach have recorded varying results and lessons. This session, therefore, will share experiences and lessons on RBF incentives in Uganda and ways of addressing encountered bottlenecks in the market. Session Chair: Tony Joshua Mwesigwa, Economist, MEMD Discussants:
Partner: UECCC |
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| 10:30 – 13:00 | A spotlight on the Electricity Access Scale-up Project |
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The EASP was developed with the objective of increasing access to energy for households, commercial enterprises and public institutions. Financial Inter-mediation component of the project provides credit support instruments for end user financing, working capital facilities, result based grants, capacity building, electrification of public schools and hospitals, productive use of energy, among others. This session will constitute a panel of key actors in the EASP to share progress, testimonies and forthcoming intervention of the project. Session Chair: John Brian Menya, EASP Marketing Specialist, UECCC Keynote Speech: Roy Baguma, Director, Transaction Execution, UECCC Discussants:
Partner: |
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| 13:00- 14:00 | Lunch Break |
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Restaurant & Exhibition Area
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| 14:00 – 15:30 | Enhancing clean energy markets and access through carbon financing |
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Access to clean energy remains one of the biggest challenges to Uganda’s energy transition. Majority of Ugandans still use traditional biomass for cooking and assert that clean cooking technologies are beyond their affordability scale. Carbon finance is an important source of funding for clean cooking companies in recent years, and it is expected continue with the growth of voluntary markets, national carbon markets and credits sales related to the Paris Agreement Article 6. This session will constitute of panelists from the climate finance unit, climate change department, UNFCCC and renewable energy department to discuss clean energy markets and access through carbon financing in Uganda to drive actions to improve the integrity of carbon credits, transparency of information, fairness in revenue sharing throughout the value chain and long-term sustainability of local clean energy markets, including enabling greater participation of clean cooking companies in carbon markets. Session Chair: Essien Joel, Energy Consultant
Panelists:
Partner: UECCC |
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| 15:30 – 17:00 | Financial institutions and private sector discourse on financing gaps |
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Coming up with one magic bullet that pulls in the most patient capital of energy developers and investors may not be possible. First, not all energy developers and investors are created equal. Pension funds, insurance companies, reinsurers, state development banks, insurance funds and sovereign wealth funds all have different mandates and different return expectations for their investments. Their governance structures and their investment cultures vary as does the applicability of financial regulations. Even within the smaller universe of pension and super-annuation funds, we see stark differences among them—from risk appetite and portfolio diversification targets, to the in-house (or not) ability to do risk assessments of individual investments. Despite the increasing appeal of green finance as a concept, the delivery of an empirical evidence base that illustrates the effectiveness of projects aligned with climate action and sustainable development—both in terms of measurable performance and value for money—has been less forthcoming. Concurrently, there have been numerous claims of the potential of ‘unlocking’ the trillions of dollars of private finance that is available for investment. This session will have the financial institutions and private sector representatives interfacing to discuss ways of addressing the existing financing gaps in the energy sector. Session Chair: Perez Magoola, Energy Adviser, Open Capital Discussants:
Partner: UECCC |
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n Kidepo Halln
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08:30 – 10:30 |
Biodigester market development: what is missing? |
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Translating the theoretical potential of biogas into a practical pipeline of projects on the ground comes with several challenges. From an entrepreneurial perspective, reaching the necessary scale needed to make a business case can sometimes be difficult. The challenges related to scale stem from seasonal variations in feedstock availability, resulting in insufficient raw materials to meet the required biogas production levels. In Uganda, for instance, the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in cattle results in a decrease in overall feedstock availability. Technology costs can also pose a challenge. The installation cost of a biodigester can vary significantly based on factors such as the type of biodigester, manufacturing materials, labour and logistical considerations. Higher-end costs associated with logistics, for example, often place a heavier burden on rural and isolated areas compared with urban areas. This session will bring together seasoned planners, developers and promoters of biogas technologies to discuss ways for developing the biogas market in Uganda and beyond. Session Chair: Dr. Miria Agunyo, Project Manager, NAMA Biogas Discussants:
Partner: MEMD, GIZ-EnDev |
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10:30 – 13:00 |
Renewable Energy Generation: Successes of the GET-FiT Project |
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Team Europe Session |
The European Union and its Member States are global leaders in the transition towards clean energy, as part of the EU’s global commitments in the fight against climate change. The EU Green Deal – the EU’s policy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 – sets out the road map, strategy and financial resources allocated to deliver on these ambitions. It includes the promotion of renewable energy resources, energy efficiency and energy conservation measures, and research and innovation across sectors. But it also aims at supporting partner countries – such as Uganda – in their efforts to reach the targets set by the Paris Agreement. As part of this year’s Renewable Energy Conference, this session organised by Team Europe in Uganda aims at highlighting successes of the Global Energy Transfer Feed-in Tariff (GET-FiT) Project in Uganda’s energy sector, and discussing challenges and opportunities for the energy transition with key public and private sector players. Session Chair: Discussants: Partner: EU, kfw, GIZ |
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13:00- 14:00 |
Lunch Break |
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Restaurant & Exhibition Area
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14:00- 15:30 |
Development Agenda: Research for policy, industry and social transformation |
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Research is a critical foundation for programs that seek to engage communities in change and in the development of more sustainable societies. Without appropriate research, programs aimed at change are likely to be based on implicit or assumed problem identification and/or inferred community needs and wishes. If we are to achieve community participation in activities that lead to real change, research to find out about those communities is the first step. This session will make a case on why science, technology, and innovation are important for the clean energy transition. Academicians will demonstrate how they have used scientific analysis to understand the impacts of energy systems and climate change on community livelihoods. The session will also focus on how to develop a scientific hub for energy research and to assess how academic institutions were successful in developing partnerships in energy research, and what is needed to harmonize efforts to advance collaboration in implementing research findings. Session Chair: Judith Nakirijja, Lecturer, Makerere University Business School Keynote Speech: David Otieno, Cluster Coordination and Head of Program, GIZ Uganda Discussants:
Partner: NREP, MUBS |
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15:30 – 17:00 |
Green hydrogen production and its economic impacts for East Africa |
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Green hydrogen has potential applications across several important sectors in East Africa, including industry, transport, and power. Green hydrogen is a versatile feedstock in the chemical industry, specifically for the production of ammonia (used in nitrogen fertilizers) and methanol. Additionally, hydrogen can play a role in decarbonizing the road transport sector, and its derivatives can decarbonize shipping (via ammonia or methanol) and aviation (via sustainable aviation fuels (SAF)). Furthermore, hydrogen offers a means of energy storage and can provide baseload power in the electricity sector. However, to accelerate the establishment of a green hydrogen industry in the region, it is crucial to prioritise those specific applications of hydrogen that not only yield significant advantages for the region but also align with its overarching developmental objectives and broader development goals. Concurrently, these applications should demonstrate the highest potential for short-term commercial viability. This session will attract key actor in the green hydrogen value chain to discuss the potential socio-economic impacts of green hydrogen production in the East African region. Session Chair: Sana Musanje, Innovation Specialist, UNFCCC Discussants:
Partner: MEMD |
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n Bunyonyi Halln
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| 08:30 – 10:30 | The role of energy in transforming the Agricultural sector |
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Energy plays a pivotal role in transforming the agricultural sector by enhancing productivity, efficiency, and sustainability. Reliable access to energy enables the mechanization of farming operations, such as irrigation, processing, and storage, which in turn boosts crop yields and reduces post-harvest losses. Renewable energy solutions, like solar-powered water pumps and cold storage systems, empower farmers to manage resources more effectively, reduce reliance on expensive fossil fuels, and lower operational costs. Moreover, integrating energy into agriculture supports the adoption of modern technologies, enabling value-added processing and improving market access for farmers. This transformation not only enhances food security but also creates jobs, stimulates rural economies, and drives demand for energy, fostering a positive feedback loop between agriculture and energy access. In regions with limited grid connectivity, decentralized energy solutions are essential for unlocking the full potential of the agricultural sector and promoting sustainable development. This session will highlight technological advancements in energy including financing solutions that are transforming agriculture. Session Chair: Joyce Nkuyahaga, Offgrid Advisor, Power Africa’s Empowering East and Central Africa (EECA) Discussants:
Partner: USAID |
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| 10:30 – 13:00 | GOGLA |
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Under development … Partner: GOGLA |
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| 13:00- 14:00 | Lunch Break |
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Restaurant & Exhibition Area
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| 14:00 – 17:00 | |
| WWF Side Event |
Under development … Session Chair: Yonah Turinayo, Coordinator – Energy, Climate and Extractives Programme, WWF International Discussants:
Partner: WWF |
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n Bujagali Halln
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| 08:30- 10:30 | Energy Local Content and Indigenous Knowledge Management |
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Local content, which is the expression and communication of a community’s locally owned and adapted knowledge and experience that is relevant to the community’s situation. Indigenous knowledge systems are not only the knowledge and practices of culture, custom, agriculture, medicine, bio-diversity, ethno-numeracy, customary law, and so on, but also the rationality of these cultural practices and rites that effects social cohesion, creativity and artistry of dance and music, technologies of fashioning clothing and beadwork. Indigenous knowledge, for instance, helps communities cope with periodic food shortages by utilizing the traditional know-how of preserving food, thus revitalizing agriculture and increasing food security. Indigenous people can provide valuable input in the local environment for the efficient use and management of local resources. In promoting clean energy technologies, it is paramount to be cognizant of the indigenous knowledge and embracement of local content. This session will discuss indigenous clean cooking methods, energy related local content and how to optimally utilize then in the energy mix and transition. Session Chair: Flavia Ajambo, Public Relations Officer, CREEC Discussants:
Partner: NREP, CREEC |
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| 10:30 – 13:00 | Smart grids and load balance management |
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There is a new kid on the block when it comes to options available to countries and utilities for putting together climate action plans, and it is smart grid. Load balance management ensures that the electricity demand matches the available supply at all times. In a smart grid, load balance management becomes more sophisticated due to the real-time data provided by smart meters and sensors. While smart grids and load balance management offer numerous benefits, challenges such as cyber security, interoperability, and regulatory frameworks need to be addressed. The ongoing development of technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning holds the potential to further enhance the capabilities of smart grids. The implementation of smart grids and effective load balance management is pivotal for creating a resilient, sustainable, and efficient electricity distribution system. As technology continues to advance, the ongoing collaboration between industry stakeholders, policymakers, and researchers will be crucial in addressing challenges and unlocking the full potential of smart grid solutions. This session will focus directly on how demand response (DR), distributed energy resource (DER), and other smart grid options can play a role in advancing energy access and reliability in Uganda and East African region at large. Session Chair: Edwina Ahamize, Senior GIS Officer, MEMD Discussants:
Partner: MEMD, NREP |
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| 13:00- 14:00 | Lunch Break |
| Restaurant & Exhibition Area | |
| 14:00- 15:30 | Unlocking investment through data aggregation |
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The most important attribute underpinning efficient markets and development is high-quality, timely, and trustworthy data. It could be economic data such as gross domestic product (GDP) growth, inflation, exchange rates, or a country’s account balance; capital markets data such as bank lending rates, trading volumes, and options prices; industry data such as market sizes and growth rates for various sectors; and firm data such as financial statements, company registrations, background checks, and ownership records. Access to this data, when it exists, is standardized, and is publicly available, helps investors make sound decisions. Public- and private-sector institutions in Uganda have had challenges gathering, aggregating, standardizing, and disseminating this kind of data. The vast majority of economic activities across country are informal, making it difficult to understand and measure. In addition, Uganda’s immature public capital markets face structural problems including inadequate regulatory disclosures, low trading volumes, a lack of liquidity, and a small number of listings that restrict the production of information. Whereas public exchanges at least require minimum levels of information disclosure, private markets, where most of the investable opportunities are, have no such standard. Beyond the surface, data aggregation holds a wealth of untapped potential. This session will constitute of experts in data management discussing opportunities and mechanisms of appropriately aggregating data in Uganda’s energy sector. Session Chair: Achieng Jacinta, Chemist, Geothermal Department, MEMD Discussants:
Partner: MEMD, CREEC, NREP |
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| 15:30- 17:00 | Digitalization of National Energy Resources and Systems |
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Digitalization, an emerging trend reshaping the energy sector, paves the way for sustained enhancements in energy efficiency. In this context, policy development can consider the multifaceted aspects of digitalization to ensure a net benefit to the entire energy system and its stakeholders. Digitalisation has an impact right across the energy value chain, from generation to transport, distribution, supply and consumption. A system-wide approach, it promotes cooperation between digital and energy stakeholders needed for digitalisation of energy to better contribute to the national priorities. As the transformation from analog to digital continues, digital technologies will make energy systems more connected, intelligent, efficient, reliable and sustainable in the coming decades. Technologies that can improve the way we use energy and help find solutions to decarbonising our energy systems include information and communication technologies (ICT), modern sensors, big data and artificial intelligence, and the internet of things. Ensuring that the ICT sector is efficient and environmentally friendly in its operation and energy consumption is also important. In addition, the development of digital solutions needs an infrastructure fit for the future, with common standards, gigabit networks and secure clouds of both current and next generations. Such infrastructure will allow consumers to engage in the energy transition in a new way, benefitting from better services based on digital innovations, more efficient energy use and energy savings. This session will attract experts from the ICT sector, energy sector and policymakers to deliberate on Uganda’s readiness for a digitalized energy system. Session Chair: Loyola Karobwa Rwabose, Mining Lawyer, MEMD Discussants:
Partner: MEMD |
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n Kibale Halln
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| 08:00 – 13:00 | Critical Minerals for Energy Transition |
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Uganda, with its ambitious agenda for development and energy transition, recognizes the importance of harnessing its substantial energy and mineral resources. The goal is to promote economic growth, end energy poverty, and lead the country toward a just energy future. Guided by our Vision 2040; Uganda aims to transform into “a modern and prosperous country” by 2040, ensuring a better future for its citizens. It is important to note that the energy sector plays a pivotal role in achieving Uganda’s development goals. Uganda as a nation is blessed with fertile soils, petroleum deposits, and reserves of various minerals, including the critical ones. While Uganda doesn’t currently produce critical minerals at industrial scale, initial exploration efforts in the 2000s suggest that the country has significant reserves of minerals crucial for the energy transition. The available data on suggests that Uganda’s critical minerals combined with its abundant renewable energy resources, position it well for a sustainable energy transition. It is very imperative that we address the complexities surrounding critical minerals and their role in achieving a greener energy future for Uganda especially. We will navigate the following topics during the exposition:
Session Chair: Aggrey Ashaba, Chairman, Uganda Chamber of Mines and Petroleum Discussants:
Partner: Uganda Chamber of Mines and Petroleum |
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| 13:00- 14:00 | Lunch Break |
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Restaurant & Exhibition Area
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| 14:00- 17:00 | Decarbonising Mobility in Developing Countries |
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On average, Uganda emits 4.9 million tons of carbon dioxide per year. Combined, the transport and agriculture sectors represented 62% of national emissions in 2000 and are projected to represent 70% by 2030 under a ‘business as usual’ scenario. The transport sector is particularly vulnerable to potential disruptive events caused by climate change. Transport energy is a vast and costly consumer of energy, carbon emitter, and fatal polluter in the global south. But a boom is underway in startups offering electric vehicles that cost less to buy and operate. This session will discuss solutions, the carbon savings of transport electrification, and the policy and financing instruments required to make it happen. Session Chair:Dr. Paul Nduhuura,Lecturer, MUBS Panelists:
Partner: FCDO, UK |
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n Bwindi Halln
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| 08:30- 13:00 |
Under Development … Session Chair: David Bikhado Ofungi, Founder, The Mkutano Company
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| 13:00- 14:00 | Lunch Break |
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Restaurant & Exhibition Area
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| 14:00- 17:00 |
