Uganda Census Reveals Energy Poverty as Major Obstacle to Sustainable Development

Uganda's 2024 National Population and Housing Census, which kicked off on Friday, May 10, 2024, and will run until Sunday, May 20, 2024, has highlighted energy poverty as a major obstacle to sustainable development in the country. Approximately 119,000 enumerators and 18,000 parish supervisors are moving door-to-door to capture data from residents of households across Uganda.

By Saturday evening, a total of 1.6 million households had been captured nationwide, with 1.3 million households fully enumerated and over 250,000 partially captured. At least 5.7 extended, million people, both Ugandans and foreigners, had been covered amid the challenges faced by the census exercise.

Why this matters: The energy poverty figures revealed by the census have significant implications for Uganda's economic growth and human development, as access to modern energy services is crucial for improving living standards and reducing poverty. Moreover, the lack of clean energy infrastructure and sustainable cooking solutions can have devastating environmental and health consequences, making it essential for policymakers to prioritize investments in these areas.

The census data reveals that approximately 60% of urban and 18% of rural populations have access to electricity, while less than 5% of the population has access to clean cooking solutions. This stark disparity in energy access underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions to bridge the gap and ensure equitable access to modern energy services.

The census exercise faced challenges in Greater Kampala, which covers the three districts of Kampala, Wakiso, and Mukono, due to non-functioning Computer-Assisted Personal Interviews (CAPI)/tablets. Enumerators had not been assigned their roles and responsibilities by their supervisors, leading to delays. Some enumerators also held sit-down strikes over unpaid training allowances, further delaying the exercise.

Parliament Speaker Anita Among expressed concern over the delays, stating, "I have been home since Friday when the census started but no enumerator has come here. I did a sample census among my members but most of them say they have not seen the enumerators. If that is happening to us key figures, what about the ordinary citizens?" She emphasized the importance of the census for the country's planning process, as it provides crucial data on population, households, and demographics.

The census is a vital tool for the government to gather comprehensive data that will inform budgeting and planning for infrastructure, medical supplies, and other essential services. The energy poverty figures revealed by the census serve as a wake-up call for policymakers to prioritize investments in clean energy infrastructure and promote the adoption of sustainable cooking solutions to improve the lives of millions of Ugandans currently living without access to modern energy services.

Key Takeaways

• Uganda's 2024 census highlights energy poverty as a major obstacle to sustainable development.
• 60% of urban and 18% of rural populations have access to electricity, while <5% have clean cooking solutions.
• 1.6 million households captured, with 1.3 million fully enumerated and 250,000 partially captured.
• Census faces challenges in Greater Kampala due to non-functioning tablets and enumerator strikes.
• Energy poverty figures serve as a wake-up call for policymakers to invest in clean energy infrastructure.