Africa-Press – Uganda. Uganda’s solar energy players have renewed calls for improved financing models and stronger quality standards to accelerate the country’s push toward universal energy access, with solar power now serving more Ugandans than the national grid.
Opening the 2nd National Solar Expo 2025 at Silver Springs Hotel, Bugolobi, Uganda Solar Energy Association (USEA) Chairperson Douglas Baguma Karugaba said solar remains Uganda’s most cost-effective pathway out of energy poverty but warned that affordability gaps and counterfeit products threaten the industry’s progress.
“Uganda has made significant strides in electrification, but the road ahead is still long. Today, only about 57% of Ugandans have access to electricity, and in rural areas, the rate is below 20%. Solar has become one of the fastest and most cost-effective solutions to bridge this gap,” Karugaba said.
He noted that solar already contributes 28% of Uganda’s electricity access, surpassing grid connections in some areas, but warned that fake products and inconsistent policies continue to undermine consumer trust.
“We have championed the fight against counterfeit products, protecting consumers, and ensuring solar delivers durable value. Without quality, this is where most of our consumers are having challenges with the solar industry,” he stressed.
The Expo, held under the theme “Unlocking Solar for Growth and Resilience”, has attracted government officials, financiers, innovators, and USEA member companies showcasing technologies from irrigation pumps and cold storage for farmers to e-mobility and cooking solutions.
The Uganda Energy Credit Capitalisation Company (UECCC), which is implementing a $110 million Electricity Access Scale-Up Project, pledged to support lower upfront solar costs.
Patrick Owere, representing UECCC, said financial interventions are already transforming access.“In the last 12 months alone, over 320,000 households and 150,000 enterprises have benefited from our facility through partner financial institutions. This has helped address the upfront cost barrier, which has been the biggest hurdle in acquiring solar equipment,” Owere revealed.
He added that with Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) enforcement, product quality has significantly improved, boosting consumer confidence and reducing maintenance costs.
Centenary Bank, one of the expo’s main sponsors, underscored its commitment to financing renewable energy.“Solar is no longer just for household lighting but a mainstream power source for businesses,” said Abdu Kyanika Nsibambi, the bank’s Manager for Housing and Renewable Energy.
“We are powering some of our own branches with solar to demonstrate its reliability not just in homes but also in factories and commercial spaces as a cheaper, stable energy source.”
Karugaba urged government to expand incentives beyond tax exemptions on panels and batteries to include productive-use solar equipment critical for agriculture and industry.“The backbone of Uganda is agriculture. We must move beyond lighting to powering growth — solar milling, cooling, refrigeration, and even e-mobility. This is where Uganda’s resilience lies,” he said.
The expo that runs until Saturday, August 30, has brought together policymakers, innovators, banks, and international stakeholders to chart Uganda’s solar-powered future.
For More News And Analysis About Uganda Follow Africa-Press
