COP29: UGANDA MAKES CASE FOR JUST ENERGY TRANSITION PLAN

 


BY PAUL TENTENA

As countries push for ambitious climate goals at the ongoing UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 29) in the Azerbaijan capital, Baku, Uganda has revealed strategic plans of gradual decarbonising through an ambitious mix that is congruent to national, regional, and continental realities of energy poverty.

This year’s UN climate powwow, which opened on Monday, November 11, is themed ‘'In Solidarity for a Green World’.

Speaking at a fireside event on investing in Energy, Resilience and Nature in Africa, Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa highlighted Uganda’s strategic goal of becoming a regional energy supplier, supported by Uganda’s leadership in the establishment of the East African Power Pool.

"As we work to increase energy access domestically, we will also leverage the power pool to export our excess electricity to neighbouring countries," Ms Nankabirwa said.

The announcement builds on recent advances in Uganda's energy taxonomy, including the commissioning of the 600MW Karuma HPP on September 26, and thee183MW Isimba HPP five years ago, which pushed the electricity generation capacity to 2,000MW against average demand of 1,000MW.

Notably, 95% of this energy is from renewable sources, and Uganda aims to add 24,000 MW from a nuclear power project targeted for 2027.

In addition to expanding electricity generation for export to energy impoverished neighbours like eastern DRC, South Sudan, and Rwanda, Uganda is advancing plans of developing its associated gas reserves for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) production. With TotalEnergies and China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) engaged in the development of the Lake Albert oil and gas project, Uganda recently secured an agreement with an international partner to establish an LPG production facility. The plant is expected to distribute at least 500,000 cylinders annually.

However, sustaining this project is anticipated to require around USD 30 million per year. To support these ambitions, Nankabirwa called for commercial banks to partner in a blended financing approach to bolster Uganda’s energy transition goals. This plan, launched at COP28 in Dubai, aligns with Uganda's vision for sustainable energy growth and regional integration.

Uganda is working to diversify and decarbonize its energy mix, prioritizing renewable sources such as hydro, solar, and wind power while reducing its dependence on fossil fuels. Expanding energy access for Uganda’s rural population—where electrification rates remain low—is a key focus. Through the Energy Access Scale-Up Project, Uganda aims to deliver affordable electricity to millions, reducing reliance on biomass and kerosene.

Dr Gerald Banaga-Baingi, Task Team Leader for Transition and Integrated Planning in Uganda’s Ministry of Energy, explained that the country’s Energy Transition Plan is rooted in science-based strategies, transparency in emissions reporting, robust financial data, and policies that foster investment.

"Having an objective, science-based plan is essential, along with legislation, though it often takes time to implement. Blended financing, de-risking of key projects, and establishing state enterprises to support these initiatives have opened new avenues and made Uganda’s energy market more attractive for implementing its transition goals," Dr Banaga-Baingi noted.

Uganda’s ambitious strategy aligns with broader sustainable development and climate action goals, balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship.

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