Uganda Fostering Affordable and Clean Cooking Technology

January 8, 2025
a man sitting on a table

UNDP, FAO and UNACC hold a clean cooking demonstration in Mbale City

Access to electricity and access to clean cooking are two very important indicators for clean energy transition. Uganda has registered steady increase in access to electricity over the past 20 years, increasing from around 5% in 2000 to 58% in 2024. However, over the same period, access to clean cooking has risen from less than 1% to around 15%. This is indicating a much greater need to transition the population to clean cooking technologies.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is promoting the transition to clean cooking, with the use of biomass (organic matter) for cooking taking a toll on forest cover and biodiversity throughout the country. Burning of biomass such as wood for the purpose of cooking also emits smoke which exposes household members, especially women and girls traditionally more involved in cooking, to respiratory infections.

While many Ugandans believe clean cooking technologies are too expensive, recent studies have served to debunk this myth. A study completed by the Centre for Research in Energy and Energy Conservation (CREEC) has shown that cooking with electricity is much more affordable than cooking with charcoal, as seen in the table below.

Food CookedImproved Charcoal StoveElectric Pressure CookerElectric Hot Plate
Cook Time (Hrs) Charcoal Used (kg)Cost (UGX)Cook Time (Hrs)Electricity Used (kWh)Cost (UGX)Cook Time (Hrs)Electricity Used (kWh)Cost (UGX)
Beans (1kg)1hr 53min1.73060.01hr 10Min0.60480.060min2.101701.0
Meat (1kg)1Hr 30Min0.81440.045 mins0.45360.01hr 52min1.901539.0
Matooke (2kg)1Hr 17Min0.4720.045 mins0.35257.01Hr 28Min1.10891.0

 

a group of people standing in a kitchen

UNDP, FAO and UNACC hold a clean cooking demonstration in Mbale City

There is a powerful opportunity for awareness creation and sensitization of communities on the possibilities of clean cooking technologies. With this in mind, UNDP together with the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and Uganda National Alliance for Clean Cooking (UNACC) recently organised a clean cooking demonstration activity in Mbale City. The demonstration was aimed at:

- Raising awareness about cooking with biomass (e.g. wood fuel) and the resulting deforestation. 
- Informing and serving the community through awareness brochures, clean cooking exhibitions and talk shows.
- Strengthening capacity in the maintenance and repair of electric pressure cookers.

A variety of clean cooking fuels and technologies were exhibited and demonstrated during the 6-day event that took place at Mbale City Central Market. Selected participants were also allowed to taste what was prepared, with the demonstration influencing the mindset of participants about clean cooking technologies. 

While in Mbale, UNDP also conducted a brief survey on the adoption of clean cooking fuels and technologies among vendors in Mbale Central Market and shopkeepers in the Central Business District, with a total of 117 (55 male, 62 female) interviewed. Of those interviewed, 9 rely solely on firewood using a 3-stone cooking point, 2 rely on firewood using improved stoves, 6 use ordinary charcoal stoves, 81 use improved charcoal stoves, 13 use a combination of charcoal and gas, while 2 use a combination of charcoal and ethanol. Only 4 of the 117 interviewed use clean cooking technologies including gas and electricity. In addition, of the 70 shops and supermarkets selling household appliances around the Mbale Central Business District, only 7 were found selling gas cooking appliances, 6 selling electric hot plates and 4 selling electric pressure cookers. This implies there is very little market for these appliances in the city. 

The survey showed that 96.6% of those interviewed rely on biomass as the primary cooking fuel, with the main reason for this choice being a perception that cleaner fuels such as gas, ethanol and electricity are not affordable. Alternatively, those interviewed who rely solely on gas and electricity mentioned that their choice is due to charcoal cooking being time-consuming, dirty, and generating smoke which creates a health risk.

a group of people are cooking in it

UNDP, FAO and UNACC hold a clean cooking demonstration in Mbale City

The clean cooking exhibition had significant impacts, bringing together participants from all walks of life in the Mbale area and impacting over 100,000 people. Key participants included community leaders, businesspeople, energy companies, market vendors, household heads, youth, and persons with disabilities from the Mbale City area. A total of 15 companies exhibited their clean cooking solutions during the 6-day campaign. Sales from the clean cooking demonstration are summarised in the table below:

Items SoldAverage Price (UGX) Quantity
Conventional pressure cookers 150,0005 pieces
Electric Pressure Cookers200,00037 pieces
Air fryer300,002 pieces
Percolator130,0002 pieces
Tier 3-4 Improved Charcoal Stoves75,000116 pieces
Tier 1-2 improved charcoal stoves20,000284 pieces
Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) – 6kg120,00020 pieces
Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) – 12kg350,0006 pieces
Briquettes1,500/kg1066kg

 

From the sales figures during the clean cooking demonstration, it is evident that the decision to purchase a technology was influenced by price as well as the existing perception that electricity is more expensive than charcoal. Efforts were made to dispel this myth, with electric cooking actually proving much more affordable, though much more needs to be done in terms of sensitizing communities and advocating for a clean energy transition.

 

By Mercy Melody Kayodi, Youth and Innovation Program Coordinator