Mitigating climate change: Gov’t launches Shs 5bln biogas pilot in schools
KAMPALA, June 5, 2026 — The government is set to launch a renewable biogas pilot project in government-aided schools as part of efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change.
The pilot project, funded by the German government at a cost of Shs5 billion, will initially be implemented in schools in Mubende and Mityana districts before being rolled out to other primary and secondary institutions across the country.
The project is expected to improve cooking and lighting facilities in schools, reduce expenditure on wood fuel, curb environmental degradation, and address challenges associated with organic waste generated within school premises, which will serve as the primary raw material for biogas production.
The Governor of Giessen District in Germany, Anita Schneider, said the initiative is intended to help Uganda reduce greenhouse gas emissions in schools while encouraging surrounding communities to adopt the technology.
She was speaking at the Innovation Biogas Utilisation Conference, recently held at the International University of East Africa [IUEA] in Kansanga, Kampala.
Schneider urged local governments to prioritise biogas programmes to enable communities to adopt practical solutions to both energy and environmental challenges.
“Biogas programmes should be prioritised by every municipality. This is not just a conference but a forum for local leaders to take an interest in sustainable energy solutions,” she said.
The conference attracted policymakers, local leaders, academics, environmental experts and development partners to discuss ways of expanding biogas utilisation in Uganda.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Water and Environment, Alfred Okot Okidi, urged participants to apply the knowledge gained from the conference to transform their communities and address environmental and economic challenges.
He revealed that the government has developed several strategies aimed at promoting the adoption of biogas technologies across the country.
“Biogas is not only an energy-saving solution, but it also creates other opportunities. It helps reduce the destruction of forests and produces manure that can be used in agriculture, alongside many other social and economic benefits,” Okidi said.
The Mayor of Mubende Municipality, Innocent Ssekiziyivu, welcomed the project, saying it would significantly improve operations and reduce expenditure in beneficiary schools, particularly on cooking and lighting.
He urged local leaders to acquire knowledge about biogas technologies to enable them to make informed decisions.
Biogas technology offers Ugandan schools several important benefits, including reducing reliance on expensive firewood, lowering greenhouse gas emissions and eliminating waste. By converting human and food waste into clean, affordable energy for cooking and lighting, institutions can significantly reduce operational costs while improving sanitation and providing practical environmental education for learners.
https://thecooperator.news/mitigating-climate-change-buganda-adopts-biogas-for-clean-cooking/
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