Why clean energy sources should be prioritized in Uganda

Last week, the media reported that the air pollution level in Kampala is eight times higher than the recommended standards where NEMA noted that domestic and biomass burning and industrial emissions are one of the leading causes of air pollution. Globally, air pollution continues to be a grave concern, with devastating consequences for climate change and human wellbeing which the government needs to address immediately.

According to recent data from the UN National program, air pollution is the greatest environmental threat to public health globally and accounts for an estimated 7 million premature deaths every year. Air pollution and climate change are closely linked as all major pollutants have an impact on the climate and mostly share common sources with greenhouse gases. Improving our air quality will bring health, development, and environmental benefits.

This air pollution not only affects human health but also contributes to environmental degradation, including damage to ecosystems, biodiversity loss, and climate change which undermine the planet’s ability to mitigate climate change and threatens the livelihoods of millions of people who depend on biomass which is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions which are the primary drivers of climate change.

Statistics reveal that the compromised air quality in Uganda has increased the disease burden with close to 31,600 people dying from air pollution-related diseases annually, especially in urban areas. This underscores the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to improve air quality, protect public health, and promote sustainable development. Efforts to mitigate air pollution require collaboration among government agencies, businesses, civil society organizations, and the public to address the root causes of pollution and create healthier and more sustainable communities.

However, despite the government’s efforts to ensure clean energy initiatives including the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) project to provide safe and clean cooking alternatives, the electrified pressure cooker stoves, and others, pollution challenges continue to persist affecting the health of the people. This is because the clean energy initiatives implemented by the government are very expensive and the people cannot afford those technologies which are also acting as a precursor to forest destruction.

Therefore, the government should urgently develop appropriate strategies to ensure the reduction of air pollution. This requires the need to transition to clean energy technologies that have the potential to address pollution and the climate challenge related challenges. Uganda looks forward to reducing its net gas emissions by 22% Business As Usual (BAU) by 2030 through its updated National Determined Contributions (NDCs). The adoption of climate energy helps in building climate resilience by diversifying energy sources and reducing reliance on vulnerable energy systems that are susceptible to climate-related disruption such as extreme weather events.

Olive Atuhaire, is a Research Associate