Innovating Energy Solutions for Health and Communities
Uganda is one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies, yet access to modern energy remains a significant challenge. Approximately 33 million people still lack access to electricity, while fewer than 5% of the population have access to clean cooking solutions. Nearly 95% of households rely on wood or charcoal for cooking, creating health, environmental and economic challenges.
SEforALL is working with partners to accelerate energy access and demonstrate innovative solutions that improve lives while supporting Uganda’s sustainable development goals. Our work focuses on two interconnected priorities:
- Healthcare electrification and energy innovation
- Capacity building and local job creation
Our Projects
SEforALL supports innovative approaches that improve access to reliable, affordable and sustainable energy for underserved communities. Our experience in Uganda includes:
Through the Powering Healthcare Innovation Fund, SEforALL supported Biogas Solutions Uganda Limited (BSUL) and Inclusive Energy to deploy biogas-powered electricity systems in health facilities serving refugee and host communities.
The project provides reliable electricity for lighting, refrigeration, sterilization and laboratory equipment, helping ensure uninterrupted healthcare services in remote areas. Smart biogas meters enable real-time monitoring, demand forecasting and system management, creating a scalable model for sustainable healthcare electrification.
The initiative was piloted at the following sites:
• Yinga Health Center III in Imvepi Refugee Settlement
• Rhino Camp Health Center IV in Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement
• Odupi Health Center III serving host communities in Terego District
Long-term sustainability is central to the project’s design. Healthcare workers and local technicians were trained to operate and maintain biogas systems and medical equipment through a digital learning platform developed with technology partners.
The project demonstrated the safe and effective use of compressed biomethane for healthcare, providing practical evidence that can inform the development of future national standards and regulations in Uganda.
Launched by SEforALL with support from UK aid through the Transforming Energy Access (TEA) initiative, the Powering Healthcare Innovation Fund supports innovative solutions that strengthen healthcare delivery through sustainable energy.
Following the success of the first funding cycle, SEforALL continues to support new approaches that improve healthcare services, build local capacity and advance energy access in underserved communities.
Why is our work with Uganda important?
Uganda’s energy transition requires innovative solutions that address both electricity access and clean cooking challenges. By supporting local entrepreneurs, strengthening healthcare infrastructure, and creating sustainable energy markets, SEforALL is helping to demonstrate how clean energy can improve health outcomes, create jobs and strengthen community resilience.
The lessons emerging from Uganda’s healthcare electrification initiatives offer scalable models that can be replicated across Africa, particularly in refugee settlements and remote communities where reliable energy access remains limited.
