Enhancing Clean Cooking in Uganda: A Campaign for Sustainable Change in Arua City

In a country where about 88% of households still rely on traditional biomass for cooking, the Enhancing Clean Cooking in Uganda campaign is creating critical momentum for change. Taking place in Arua City from 22nd to 28th April 2025, the campaign seeks to accelerate the adoption of cleaner, safer, and more sustainable cooking solutions across Uganda. A collaboration between GIZ Uganda, Uganda National Alliance on Clean Cooking (UNACC) and the National Renewable Energy Platform (NREP) - Uganda, the campaign focuses on community engagement, awareness, and practical demonstrations. The initiative is helping shift public perception and behaviour towards healthier, climate-friendly cooking methods.

The Enhancing Clean Cooking in Uganda campaign falls under the Higher Tier Cooking Component (HTCC) of the Strengthening the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem for the Clean Cooking Sector (SEE-Clean Cooking) programme. HTCC is implemented by GIZ Uganda and CLASP. The broader programme, which includes both the Higher Tier Cooking Component and the African Biodigester Component, is managed by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) on behalf of the European Commission, Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. Together, these partners are working to strengthen the supply side of Uganda’s clean cooking sector by supporting small and medium-sized enterprises to grow, access finance, and scale innovations that bring clean cooking within reach for every Ugandan household.

In Arua, the campaign has brought together local leaders, including teachers, clergy, businesspeople, and community representatives. Through interactive sessions and cooking demonstrations, participants have been introduced to a variety of clean cooking technologies and their benefits in terms of health, efficiency, and environmental impact. The engagement extended beyond in-person activities, with UNACC participating in a live session on Arua One radio station, where they responded to audience questions about clean cooking options and access pathways.

This campaign is part of a nationwide effort to promote clean cooking in Uganda’s four major regions: Northern, Western, Eastern, and Central, as well as the Southwestern region. Previous engagements have already been held in Mbarara, Hoima, and Soroti, with upcoming events planned for Kabale, Masaka, and Luwero. These efforts align closely with Uganda’s National Development Plan (NDP) III and the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which aim to reduce biomass dependency from 88% to 50%, with a particular emphasis on reaching rural communities where traditional fuel use is still dominant.

The campaign is not only a platform for awareness but a strategic opportunity for the private sector to help drive sustainable development, reduce indoor air pollution, and protect Uganda’s forests from unsustainable fuel use.

As we continue to advocate for change, clean cooking companies have a unique opportunity to innovate sustainable business models and offer affordable solutions that will make these technologies accessible to every Ugandan household. Now more than ever, we need solutions that combine affordability with efficiency to meet the needs of all communities and ensure that no community is left behind in the green transition.

Join the journey towards innovation, and inclusive clean cooking. Let’s work together to make clean cooking a lifestyle for every Ugandan!