n Rwenzori Convention Halln
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08:30 – 10:30 |
Energy at the Interface of Tourism Promotion |
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Energy tourism belongs to the not-so-well-known fields of tourism. Energy tourism is a novel field of tourism that will likely grow in the future. Relationships between tourism development, energy demand and growth factors are widely investigated and monitored in developed and developing countries. Being a part of the industrial tourism or a special interest tourism, this type of tourism includes visits to the energy facilities and locations such as factories, mines, power stations and renewable energy sites. It is important to describe the niche of energy tourism within the tourism market and assess its potential. Sometimes, energy tourism might interfere with dark tourism, for example, in the case of the tourist visits to the site of the Chernobyl nuclear power station. In addition, this type of tourism is closely correlated with the public and social acceptance of traditional and renewable energy facilities. Therefore, this might be a promising and emerging type of tourism that will likely grow due to the ongoing industrialization and expenditure of energy-generating facilities envisaged for meeting the growing demand for energy all around the world. This session will bring together tourism and energy experts to discuss synergy avenues and collaborations to promote Uganda and the region. Session Chair: XXXX Discussants:
Partner: MEMD, UTB |
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10:30 – 13:00 |
Championing clean energy access through cultural institutions |
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The Traditional Cultural Leaders Act of 2011 stipulates the role of cultural institutions in transforming the livelihoods of their communities. Cultural institutions have strong influence on the choices of its loyal subjects on how they perceive things. They are strategic institutions to work with in order to achieve the mission of ensuring reliable, adequate, and sustainable exploitation, management, and utilization of Uganda’s energy and mineral resources. This session will bring together representatives of cultural institutions to discuss avenues of collaboration with the central government, planned and ongoing clean energy initiatives at the kingdom/chiefdom level, as well as opportunities for fostering clean energy diffusion. Session Chair: Gina Nabeta, Cluster Portfolio Advisor, GIZ Discussants:
Partner: MEMD, NREP |
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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 |
Tapping into the Religious Voices in the Clean Energy Deployment Discourse |
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Religion influences many people’s world views, lifestyles and engagement, making it a powerful force for individual and collective change. Religion plays an integral part in all societies and is the most important source of values for many people. Any development policy that respects people as individuals must also respect their individual world views. For most people, this world view is fundamentally shaped by their religion. Religious values and beliefs influence many attitudes relating to the environment, suggesting that they are also likely to shape preferences over energy systems and policies. Religion can offer its prophetic voice in order to promote environmental flourishing and counter environmentally harmful actions and social developments. Speaking forth clean energy adoption by the religious leaders energizes behavioural change and choices towards positive change. This session will bring together religious leaders of the different faiths to discuss opportunities and experiences of promoting and being ambassadors for clean energy as well as working closely with the central government in promoting clean energy. Session Chair: Dr. Nicholas Mukisa, Deputy National Coordinator, NREP Discussants:
Partner: MEMD, NREP |
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15:30 – 17:00 |
Closing Ceremony |
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Under Development … Session Chair: Dr. Brian E. Isabirye, Commissioner Renewable Energy Department, MEMD Partner: MEMD |
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n Kabalega Halln
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08:30 – 10:00 |
Achieving universal access through Off-grid systems |
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With remote and rural areas lagging behind and progressing slowly in energy access, the world is currently not on-track to achieve universal energy access by 2030. While grid expansion has been essential to shrinking the electricity access gap to less than 700 million people by 2023, the remaining unconnected are increasingly difficult to reach as they are predominantly rural, remote, poor, and living in contexts suffering from fragility, conflict, or violence (FCV). For communities in rural Africa to thrive, energy services must be affordable and reliable. But this is not enough, energy services must be built around productive uses of energy (PUE) from the start. PUE activities are crucial to boosting demand for off-grid energy systems, while generating valuable income for remote communities and ultimately reducing poverty. Off-grid renewable energy solutions – including stand-alone systems and mini-grids – will play a crucial role in achieving universal access to modern energy in a timely and sustainable manner. To accelerate the pace of off-grid renewable energy deployment, many different pre-conditions must be met. Furthermore, the potential of mini-grids to drive economic development and improve livelihoods can be fully realized when gender considerations are integrated. This session will explore the lessons leaned thus far from each of these approaches and share recommendations for future implementation of PUE measures in mini-grid projects by both private and public sector actors. This session will constitute of a panel of experts in off-grid systems discussing opportunities and experiences of electrifying rural communities. Session Chair: XXXX Discussants: Partner: EU, kfw, GIZ |
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10:30 – 13:00 |
Innovative Financing for Mini-grids |
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Innovative financing mechanisms are necessary to scale mini-grids development in Uganda. Which barriers are leading to money not being invested in mini-grids. Public and concessional financing is being channeled to mainly grid and solar home systems projects, but mini-grid funding is scanty. What barriers are being faced by mini-grid investors, donors and the government, preventing them from investing in mini-grids development in Uganda. What strategies are needed to unlock the high potential of funding that mini-grids can attract in Uganda. Session Chair: XXXX 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 |
Enhancing Frameworks through Government |
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This session will focus on strengthening government partnerships and capacity building for sustainable mini-grid development in Uganda. This session will explore the developments in Uganda’s mini-grids policy and regulatory framework and how these have enabled or suppressed mini-grid development in Uganda. Session Chair: XXXX Discussants: Partner: EU, kfw, GIZ |
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15:30 – 17:00 |
Viable Business Models |
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The sustainability and scalability of mini-grids largely depends on viable business models. This panel session seeks to explore various business models implemented in Uganda. Lessons learned by the developers on the viability of these models can provide information to public sector and the donors on how to design mini-grid support programmes. Key factors of viability could include ownership structures, financing models, service delivery approaches, PUE, location of the site, community engagement, and regulatory support among others. Session Chair: XXXX Discussants: Partner: EU, kfw, GIZ |
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n Kidepo Halln
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08:30 – 13:00
Under Development …
Session Chair: XXXX
Discussants:
Partner: TotalEnergies
13:00- 14:00
Lunch Break
Restaurant & Exhibition Area
14:00 – 15:30
Nature and energy finance for climate action
Humanity is at a crossroads – a moment of great risk and great opportunity. One path leads to attractive growth and development; the other to great difficulties and destruction. As shown by each successive report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, climate change is occurring at a faster pace than previously anticipated, the impacts and damage are greater than foreseen, and the time for remedial action is rapidly narrowing. To achieve universal energy access while conserving and mitigating climate shock, necessitates significant financing, especially in the developing countries that are most vulnerable to climate shocks. This session will bring together public and private actors, as well as conventional and innovative financiers to spotlight key efforts to mobilize finance at scale for energy and nature.
Session Chair: Herbert Kafeero, Programs and communications Manager, SEATINI
Discussants:
- Eva Mpalampa, Head Oil and Gas |Business and Commercial Clients, Stanbic Bank
- Fred Tuhairwe, Project Manager PUE, UECCC
- Julius Mukunda, Executive Director, CSBAG
- Jane Nalunga, Executive Director, SEATINI Uganda
- Cathy Adengo, Head Sustainability and Environment, Stanbic Bank
Partner: MEMD, NREP
15:30 – 17:00
Accelerating energy access and climate action
Climate change is taking an undue toll on energy resources and services, and that managing energy security is central to climate adaptation and mitigation solutions. Developing countries are committed to improving access to energy for their people, while contributing to the global fight against climate change. But they need finance and technical assistance to help them achieve their goals. Addressing the energy access deficit through sustainable and affordable energy technologies is therefore critical for building socio-economic and climate resilience, avoiding future emissions and delivering on countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). While Africa is set to emerge as a key driver of energy demand growth, the extent to which the region can address its energy needs and drive socio-economic and environmental sustainability will depend on how effectively countries utilise their vast energy resources (both renewable and non-renewable). This session will put a spotlight on building resilient energy systems as a critical lever for climate action. This session will convene climate change and energy planners to deliberate on experiences and lessons learnt as well as solutions for addressing bottlenecks hindering energy access and climate action.
Session Chair: Dr. Sylvia Aarakit Manjeri, Lecturer, MUBS
Discussants:
- Maureen Kamusiime, Technical Advisor for Climate Change and Livestock, Mercy Corps
- Dr. Paul Bagabo, Senior Officer, Natural Resource Governance Institute
- Dr. Mary Gorret Nantongo, Lecturer, MUBS
- Faith Lumonya, Economic Justice and Climate Action Programme Officer, Akina Mama wa Afrika
- Dickens Kamugisha, CEO, AFIEGO
Partner: MEMD, NREP, CSOs Network
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n Bunyonyi Halln
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08:30 – 10:30 |
Prioritizing E-waste Management in the Face of Energy Transition |
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The growing emphasis on sustainable energy development, the production of electronic components, devices, and renewable energy technologies needed to produce sustainable energy has also increased. While these advancements offer numerous benefits for economic growth and environmental protection, they also pose a significant challenge in terms of electronic waste (e-waste) generation. These e-waste items often contain hazardous materials like lead, mercury, cadmium, and brominated flame retardants. When not appropriately managed, e-waste can lead to environmental contamination and health hazards for nearby communities. Thus, effective e-waste management and recycling would be a game changer to ensure sustainability in line with Global Development Initiatives (GDI) goals. Governments are implementing Extended Producer Responsibility (ERP) programmes, making manufacturers accountable for collecting and recycling their products after the end of their life cycle. This encourages manufacturers to design products with recycling in mind, leading to more eco-friendly vehicles and electronic devices. This session will attract experts in e-waste management, manufacturers and policymakers to discuss Uganda’s strategies for managing e-waste. Session Chair: Brian Kawuma, Country Rep., Power for All Discussants:
Partner: MEMD, GIZ |
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10:30 – 13:00 |
Unlocking Africa’s wind energy potential |
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The potential of wind energy holds significant promise in addressing the escalating energy needs of several African countries. Harnessing the power of the wind presents a viable and sustainable alternative to conventional energy sources, offering a pathway towards energy security and independence. Moreover, wind energy aligns harmoniously with the global imperative to mitigate climate change and reduce carbon emissions, making it a compelling choice for nations striving to balance economic development with environmental preservation. Recognizing the pivotal role that wind energy can play in shaping the future of Africa’s energy sector, stakeholders are increasingly embracing initiatives aimed at its promotion and adoption. This session seeks to address the multifaceted challenges and opportunities inherent in the transition towards renewable energy in Africa, with a specific focus on wind energy. The session will bring together policymakers, industry experts, academics, and other relevant stakeholders with the aim of fostering dialogue, share best practices, and catalyze actionable strategies that will accelerate the deployment of wind energy infrastructure in Uganda and the region at large. Session Chair: XXXX Discussants: Partner: MEMD, GWEC |
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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 |
Trans-boundary Opportunities for Women and the Youth in Renewable Energy Sector across the EAC |
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The East African Community (EAC) is an inter-governmental regional bloc comprising of eight Partner States. These include Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. The region is home to over 330 million individuals of which more than 60% are women and 80% are young people below the age of 35 years. The Community is highly endowed with vast renewable energy resources including solar, wind, hydro, geothermal and biomass among others. Despite the enormous potential, the partner states still have some shared challenges in their pursuit of the access to clean and modern energy. These bottlenecks include heavy reliance on biomass for cooking, low access to high quality electricity, high reliance on fossil fuels for the transport sector, limited access to modern energy in displacements settings among others. In these challenges exist enormous opportunities for the population to develop innovative solutions to address these bottle necks. Women and youth, despite constituting majority of the EAC population are still marginalised in the decision-making processes and have limited access to finance to be part of the solution to a just energy transition in the EAC. This session will explore the opportunities that exist in energy transition journey of the EAC and how the Youth and Women can fully participate. Session Chair: Collins Owuor, Renewable Energy Expert, EACREEE Keynote speaker: Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, Minister of East African Affairs Discussants:
Partner: EACREEEE |
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15:30 – 17:00 |
Regional Policy Harmonization Policy and Regulatory Environment for Accelerated Energy Transition |
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The East African Community (EAC) is an inter-governmental regional bloc comprising of eight Partner States. These include Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. The Community is highly endowed with vast renewable energy resources including solar, wind, hydro, geothermal and biomass among others. Despite the enormous potential, the partner states still have some shared challenges in their pursuit of the access to clean and modern energy. These bottlenecks include heavy reliance on biomass for cooking, low access to high quality electricity, high reliance on fossil fuels for the transport sector, limited access to modern energy in displacements settings among others. There are several ongoing initiatives by the governments, development partners, private sector and civil societies to address these challenges and ensure a just energy transition in the region. In spite of all these initiatives, the countries remain at different levels in terms of access to modern and clean energy technologies, policy and regulatory framework. This session will explore the role regional harmonisation of policies and regulations can play in accelerating energy transition in the EAC. Session Chair: Yunus Alokore, Technical Expert, EACREEE Key note speaker: Mr. Bruno Otto Tokwiny, Country Representative in Uganda, United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) Discussants:
Partner: EACREEE, UNIDO |
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n Bujagali Halln
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08:30 – 13:00 |
SEE-Clean Cooking, Higher Tier Cooking Component (HTCC) Access to Finance Launch |
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The HTCC Access to Finance Launch event aims to raise visibility for the SEE-Clean Cooking program and the HTCC project in Uganda, spotlighting key partners through its Access to Finance pillar. Attendees will gain insights into the Innovation Challenge Fund (ICF) and Results-Based Financing (RBF) pillars via a brief pitch deck presentation, where companies will showcase their contributions to clean cooking and how HTCC is driving market development in Uganda’s higher-tier cooking sector. Opening remarks from HTCC donors and government representatives will offer a broader perspective on the alignment of the SEE-Clean Cooking initiative with development plans. Session Chair: XXXXX Panelists:
Partner: GIZ-EnDev |
| 10:30 – 13:00 |
MATCHMAKING EVENT FOR SMEs IN UGANDA |
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The Energy Enterprise Coach (EEC) is a flagship initiative conceptualized and funded by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and the Energizing Development (EnDev) partnership and implemented by NIRAS and Intellecap. Fourteen companies participated in cohort training sessions covering business fundamentals, sales & marketing and financial management (April-Sept 2023 and based on group training experience, ten additional SMEs were selected of which 8 went through the mentorship support cycle. To wrap up the mentorship trajectory in Uganda, EEC is holding the final “funnel” step which entails selecting the most qualified SMEs that have worked with as part of the EEC programme for a matchmaking event. |
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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 |
Energy Business Models: What Works and What Doesn’t |
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Access to clean energy produces greater levels of economic value and increases the quality of life in emerging markets across the globe. Emerging economies have surpassed developed nations in clean energy investment and deployment, but there is limited understanding of the factors that most affect the success of these businesses. The goal of this session is to identify these success factors, and use them to inform entrepreneurs’ strategic decision-making as well as elucidate the environments in which these ventures have a higher probability of success. By better understanding what drives success in the renewable energy industry, both entrepreneurs and key stakeholders such as policy makers, investors, and interested non-governmental organizations (NGOs) can better prioritize their efforts and investments to drive increased levels of clean energy adoption. The session will bring together distinguished investors, policy makers and partners to discuss the business models commonly adopted in Uganda. Session Chair: Aidah Ssemakula, Director Consulting, Belli Advisory Discussants:
Partner: USEA, UNACC |
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15:30 – 17:00 |
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n Kibale Halln
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08:30 – 10:30 |
Solar Electric Cooking in Displacement Settings |
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In Africa, clean cooking is a critical challenge for displaced populations and their host communities. Traditional cooking fuels like charcoal and firewood have become increasingly costly, causing environmental and economic strain. In Uganda, 95% of the refugee and hosting communities rely on biomass as their primary cooking and lighting fuel. The potential of solar-powered electric cooking offers a sustainable pathway forward. The Solar-Electric Cooking Partnership (SOLCO), a multi-stakeholder partnership is committed to enabling access to affordable and clean e-cooking solutions in humanitarian contexts globally. In Uganda, SOLCO is spearheaded by Mercy Corps with the support of partners such as the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD), Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), UNEP, GPA, GeCCo, IKEA Foundation, Last Mile Climate, as well as over 20 private sector companies, refugee-led organizations, and financial institutions. SOLCO Uganda aims to enable at least 150,000 households in refugee-hosting districts to access solar electric cooking by 2027 and welcomes additional partners to join and support this mission. The SOLCO session will discuss the Uganda’s SOLCO roadmap, discuss the resource mobilization strategy, and delve into experiences from various stakeholders on solar-electric cooking solutions. Session Chair: Purity Kendi Gituma, Energy Access Technical Advisor, Mercy Corps Discussants:
Partner: SOLCO, Mercy Corps |
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10:30 – 13:00 |
Utility eCooking Project: Lessons from the Introduction of 1,500 EPCs in GKMA and Early Data Insights |
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In 2022, Umeme approached MECS about the possibility of a utility-led EPC pilot project, having been inspired by the Uganda eCookbook, which aims to raise awareness that eCooking is the most time and cost-effective method to cook typical Ugandan dishes. Funded by MECS and supported by MEMD, Umeme has procured and distributed 1,500 EPCs in Kampala to staff and customers, partnering with Solageo, and in collaboration with CREEC and the Access to Energy Institute (A2EI). This project aims to create awareness and then demand for eCooking appliances, enabling further suppliers to enter the sector and grow their businesses, while also collecting crucial usage data and opinions on electricity costs from almost 500 participants to evaluate the eCooking tariff introduced by ERA, which could enable creation of a more favourable environment as eCooking is scaled. Valuable insights are already revealing themselves through RCT experiments that send monthly rebates to some participants and provide biweekly SMS updates to others. Through the project, CREEC recently trained 34 technicians in eCooking appliance repair to provide a scalable supportive environment around eCooking adoption. The project is already expanding, with a second EPC order of 2,750 EPCs on its way to Umeme, placed using its own resources. Session Chair: Dr. Will Clement, MECS Research Lead for Uganda Discussants:
Partner: MECS, UMEME |
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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 |
Leaving no one behind: Addressing Clean Cooking in low income communities |
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Under Development … Partner: ECLEI Africa |
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n Bwindi Halln
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Under Development …
