Minister of State for Energy in charge of Minerals Phiona Nyamutoro has urged Ugandans to embrace clean cooking technologies as the Government intensifies efforts to reduce dependence on charcoal and firewood, protect forests and improve public health.
Speaking to journalists at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development headquarters, Nyamutoro said expanding access to affordable cooking alternatives was essential to reducing the environmental and health costs associated with traditional biomass fuels.
“Clean cooking is not just about changing the fuel we use in our kitchens; it is about protecting our environment, improving public health and creating better economic opportunities for Ugandans,” Nyamutoro said.
More than 87 per cent of Ugandan households rely on charcoal or firewood as either their primary or secondary cooking option, while access to clean cooking technologies and fuels stood at an estimated 27.91 per cent as of June 2026.
The figures highlight the scale of the challenge facing the Government as it seeks to expand access to affordable alternatives while reducing pressure on the country’s forests.
Under the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV), the Government targets increasing access to clean cooking from 25 per cent in the 2024/25 financial year to 50 per cent by 2030. The National Integrated Clean Cooking Strategy 2025–2040 provides a roadmap towards achieving universal access by 2040.
The transition is also intended to address the public health consequences of household air pollution. Estimates cited by the World Health Organization indicate that approximately 23,000 Ugandans die prematurely each year from exposure to household air pollution.
Traditional cooking fuels also contribute to deforestation and environmental degradation, while the time spent collecting firewood places an additional burden on women and girls.
To accelerate the transition, the Government is promoting electricity, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), ethanol and biogas as alternatives to charcoal and firewood.
In the electricity sector, the Government has introduced a preferential cooking tariff of Shs412 per unit within the applicable domestic consumption band to encourage households to adopt electric cooking. Electric pressure cookers are also being promoted because they can reduce cooking time and energy consumption when preparing common Ugandan foods.
Through the African Development Bank-supported Uganda Biogas and Electric Cooking Programme, the Government plans to facilitate the distribution of more than 77,000 energy-efficient electric cooking appliances through subsidy arrangements.
In the LPG market, the National LPG Infrastructure Development Programme targets the distribution of one million starter kits containing cylinders, burners and accessories. The Government is also working with private-sector partners to expand distribution and introduce Pay-As-You-Go and metered gas systems to reduce the upfront costs of switching to cleaner fuels.
Ethanol is another alternative being promoted, particularly for households that purchase charcoal in small quantities.
The Government has invested Shs11.9 billion in Bukona Agro Processing Limited in Nwoya District to support ethanol production from locally grown agricultural crops. The facility has a reported production capacity of 40,000 litres per day, supports approximately 10,000 farmers annually and has contributed to the distribution of more than 17,000 ethanol stoves.
The transition to clean cooking is also expected to create opportunities for businesses involved in manufacturing, distributing and maintaining cooking appliances, as well as producing and supplying alternative fuels.
Through the Uganda National Alliance on Clean Cooking, which brings together more than 100 enterprises, the Government is promoting local manufacturing, entrepreneurship and private-sector participation in the sector.
However, the transition presents challenges for households and businesses that depend on charcoal production, transportation and trade for their livelihoods. The Government has acknowledged concerns about the effects of charcoal restrictions and says implementation must be coordinated, lawful and practical, alongside measures to expand access to affordable alternatives.
Nyamutoro clarified that the Presidential Executive Order on charcoal applies to specified regions and does not constitute a blanket nationwide prohibition on all charcoal use.
“The Executive Order must be understood within its specified geographical scope. It is not a blanket ban on all charcoal use across the country. At the same time, we must continue expanding access to affordable alternatives so that households and businesses can adapt to cleaner cooking solutions,” she said.
The Government is working with the Ministry of Water and Environment, the National Forestry Authority, the National Environment Management Authority and local governments to strengthen coordination, enforcement and public engagement.
Through the Kyuusa Enfumba Yo — Change Your Cooking campaign, the Ministry is also working with cultural institutions, religious leaders and the media to raise awareness about clean cooking technologies and encourage households to adopt more sustainable practices.
The success of the transition will depend on the availability and affordability of alternative cooking fuels, particularly for low-income households. For businesses, the expanding market presents opportunities in energy supply, appliance distribution, local manufacturing and technology services.
The Government says its objective is to protect forests and public health while ensuring that the transition to clean cooking creates economic opportunities without leaving vulnerable households and communities behind.