Lira students develop solar-powered poultry incubator to boost farmers’ incomes
The innovation was unveiled recently during the graduation ceremony of 33 students who completed a five-week training programme on the productive use of solar energy
LIRA CITY, June 26, 2026 — Students at Fountainhead Institute of Management and Technology [FIMAT] in Lira City have developed an innovative solar-powered poultry incubator aimed at helping farmers increase production and improve household incomes.
The innovation was unveiled recently during the graduation ceremony of 33 students who completed a five-week training programme on the productive use of solar energy. The programme equipped participants with practical solar energy skills and enabled them to design and build the incubator, locally named the Min Gweno Incubator.
The incubator is capable of hatching large numbers of eggs depending on farmers’ production needs. Eggs are placed on wire-mesh trays and covered with soft cloth, while heat is generated through a battery-powered system and regulated by a temperature control mechanism to maintain optimal conditions for hatching chicks.
The solar-powered incubator is now available to poultry farmers at FIMAT’s campus in Awita Cell, Amuca Ward, Lira City West Division, at a cost of Shs 800,000.
Speaking at the event, Judith Abonyo, Head of the Solar Energy Department at FIMAT, said the institute is prepared to scale up production of the incubator to meet growing demand from poultry farmers.
FIMAT Principal Tom Okao said production of the incubators would begin immediately, revealing that at least 10 poultry farmers had already placed orders for the newly developed machine.
The training programme was supported by the German government through Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit [GIZ].
Okao commended the German government and GIZ for supporting the intensive hands-on training initiative, which has resulted in practical innovations aimed at supporting both rural and urban farmers.
“This support has given a major boost to Fountainhead Institute of Management and Technology and the people of the Lango sub-region,” Okao said.
He noted that youth unemployment remains a major challenge across Northern and Eastern Uganda but emphasised that skills development initiatives such as the solar training programme are equipping young people with employable and entrepreneurial skills.
Okao also disclosed that the institute is seeking support to introduce training in the repair and maintenance of solar-powered motorcycles, which are increasingly entering the Ugandan market.
“We are witnessing a growing number of solar-powered motorcycles. While owners are currently enjoying the benefits, in the next two or three years there will be challenges related to repairs and maintenance. We must prepare to address that problem,” he said.
He added that future partnerships should include training in e-mobility technologies.
The Paramount Chief of Lango, Eng. Dr Michael Odongo Okune, applauded FIMAT for the innovation and thanked the German government for supporting skills development in the region.
Represented by Edwin Odur, the cultural leader said vocational skills training remains critical to the socio-economic transformation of the Lango community.
He noted that renewable energy technologies are essential for development because they are affordable and environmentally sustainable.
Odur called on GIZ to strengthen its partnership with the Lango Cultural Institution, describing such collaboration as vital for promoting skills development and creating employment opportunities for young people.
“It is very important that the cultural institution works with development partners to provide skills training to the people of Lango,” he said.
He added that the institution would continue mobilising communities to embrace vocational and practical skills that enable individuals to create their own employment opportunities.
Odur further appealed to the German government to consider establishing a major solar centre in the Lango sub-region, pledging that the cultural institution would provide land for the facility if required.
https://thecooperator.news/lira-city-journalists-urged-to-embrace-poverty-eradication-programmes/
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