The government of Uganda has launched the distribution of Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders targeting one million households in a bid to promote safe and clean cooking.
Launched Tuesday by Ruth Nakanbirwa, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development in Bugo Zone, Busabala in Wakiso District, the new initiative will see each benefiting household receive a 13kg cylinder, burner, and other accessories.
The government has partnered with Shell, Vitro, Stabex International Ltd., and Total Energies, which are considered to have a wider network across the country to help the beneficiaries access the renewable energy facility.
Ismail Tobasiima, the Marketing Officer at Stabex International Ltd, disclosed that recent research they conducted prior to the project revealed that the 13kg gas cylinder can last three months for an average family with four members.
A complete set of 13kg LPG gas cylinders and accessories costs at least 270,000 Shillings on the open market.However, beneficiaries will now spend Sh 100,000 only to refill the cylinder once the gas is depleted.
Paddy Kabuye, a Bugo resident who benefited from the initiative, praised the government for bringing the project to households in order to save time cooking and promote environmental conservation.
According to Annet Nasanga, the use of gas will relieve pressure on tree cutting and save the environment.She also notes that the use of charcoal for daily cooking is cumbersome for mothers.
Nankabirwa says the use of LPG can protect forests from being depleted for charcoal and firewood production and use, hence contributing to preserving the environment and capturing carbon dioxide emissions.
For eligibility, one is required to register and fill out a form to be endorsed by the Local Council One Chairperson. He then takes the form to any nearby outlet of the four selected oil companies, where they will be handed the gas cylinder.
Typically, liquified petroleum gas is cleaner than other fossil fuels; it is an environmentally friendly fuel, non-toxic and non-corrosive in nature, which helps to improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Uganda is expected to begin producing oil in the Bunyoro sub-region in 2025. Of this, the oil industry is expected to provide 300,000 tonnes of gas to support the government in upscaling the usage of liquefied petroleum gas. Total Energy will also use part of the gas to generate more electricity for the country.
The 2016 Uganda Health and Demographic Survey released by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) also shows that 98.3 percent of Uganda’s population was using solid fuel for cooking at the time of the survey, while only 0.6 percent of the population was using clean fuel.