1.
Progress Towards Implementation and Achievement
of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7) in Uganda,
and its Nexus for achievement of other SDGs in
Uganda.
Prepared and presented By Dr. Joshua Zake (PhD),
Executive Director, Environmental Alert (EA) during the National Dialogue on ‘Pentagoals’ (i.e. SDGs 5,
7, 8, 10, 13 and 17) held on 12th April 2019 at Grand Imperial Hotel, Kampala.
Organized by the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance – Uganda Chapter in collaboration with Uganda National
NGO Forum and Uganda Coalition for Sustainable Development.
Email: ed@envalert.org or joszake@gmail.com
P. O. Box 11259 Kampala, Uganda, Tel: 0414510215;
Website: http://www.envalert.org
Personal website: https://ug.linkedin.com/in/dr-joshua-zake-18104523
https://www.slideshare.net/JoshuaZake1

2.
Outline of the presentation
A) Introduction (background and context);
B) Operationalization of Goal 7 – policy and legal frameworks;
C) Nexus between Goal 7 and other goals 5, 8, 10, 13 and 17
D) Outstanding achievements to-date;
E) Key emerging issues (opportunities & challenges);
F) Concluding remarks and recommendations
G) About Environmental Alert

3.
A) Introduction (background & context)
The Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs)
are commitments made by
190 world leaders to help
in addressing extreme
poverty, fight inequality &
injustice, and fix climate
change.
They replaced the 8
millennium development
goals after 15 years of
their implementation.
The SDGs are 17 with clear
targets and indicators for
achievement by 2030.
Uganda Country Context – Key statistics
Population annual growth rate in Uganda is 3.3%, thus Uganda is ranked 32nd globally in 2018 and is
estimated at 45 and 61 million Ugandans currently/now and by 2030, respectively. This means
high/increasing demand for environmental products and services = increased pressure on environment
• Uganda's current forest cover stands at 9% reducing from 24% as it was in 1999 (Sector
performance report by the MWE 2018).
• Degradation rates stands at 18% (MWE, 2018).
• Poverty level is at 27%, up from 19.7% in 2012/2013 (Uganda National Household Survey 2016/17)
• Very low per capita energy consumption in the world with 215 kWh per capita per year (Sub-Saharan
Africa's average: 552 kWh per capita, World average: 2,975 per capita) (Energypidia, 2019).
• High levels of unemployment especially youth unemployment 78% in 2012/13 and 66% in 2015;
• High income inequalities, regional imbalances, gender disparities
• Vulnerability to the adverse impacts of climate change and external shocks;
• Decreased potential for economic growth (3.9% in last two years), below the Vision and NDP II targets

4.
A) Introduction (background & context)
Source: UN Agenda, 2030 (2015).

5.
A) Introduction (background & context)
Source: UN Agenda, 2030 (2015).

6.
A) Introduction (background & context)
Each country operationalizes the 17 SDGs through their national policies, laws, plans and programs at
different scales. In Uganda this is being done through the following:
1. National Vision – Vision 2040
2. National sector policies and legislative frameworks
3. National Development planning frameworks
4. Sector Development/Investment Plans for Ministries, Departments and Authorities
5. District Development plan
6. Strategies
7. Country strategies for various Development Partners
8. Strategic plans for Civil Society and Networks
9. …..

7.
B) Operationalization of Goal 7 (Ensure access to affordable, reliable,
sustainable and modern energy for all – by 2030).
Plans Commitments there-in delivering on Goal 7
The Uganda
vision 2040
and the
National
Developme
nt Plan II
(2016-2020)
A trans-formed Ugandan society from a peasant to a modern and prosperous country within 30 years.” Thus, it
was It is envisaged that the country will graduate to the middle income segment by 2017 and reach a per capita
of USD 9,500 by 2040.
Increased access to electricity and use of renewable energy technologies. The Uganda Vision 2040 puts the
target at 80% access to modern energy by 2040, up from the access rate of 14% in 2013.
Government will invest in Research and development and provide incentives to encourage use of renewable
energy.
Target of percentage of the population with access to electricity from 14% to 30% by 2020 (NDP II); >98% by
2030 (Uganda Sustainable Energy for all – SEA-Agenda); 80% by 2040. >99% of the population with access to
modern cooking solutions by 2030 – SEA-agenda
Emphasis on improving energy efficiency by promoting use of energy efficient technologies.
Increased access to clean, affordable and reliable energy sources to facilitate industrialization as
emphasized in vision 2040.

8.
B) Operationalization of Goal 7 (Ensure access to affordable, reliable,
sustainable and modern energy for all – by 2030).
Plans Commitments there-in delivering on Goal 7
The Uganda vision 2040 and
the National Development
Plan II (2016-2020)
Building the required institutional capacity at all levels (national, local and community) for
effective implementation and enforcement of the policy and legal framework.
To develop and enforce policy commitments through appropriate acts and regulations.
Advance all inclusive stakeholder participation and engagement to add value in policy
formulation and implementation based on their mandates, interests, concerns and
competences
Green Growth Development
Strategy2017/18-2030/2031
(NPA, 2017).
Enhanced energy use efficiency and diversification to renewable energy at domestic, industrial
and institutional levels by 2031.
Uganda Nationally
Determined Contributions
Increasing the efficiency in the use of biomass in the traditional energy sector;
Promoting renewable energy and other energy sources;
Increasing the efficiency in the modern energy sector, mainly of electricity.
Note: The commitments in the plans and strategies are further operationalized for implementation in the policies and
sector plans

9.
C) Nexus between Goal 7 and other goals 5, 8, 10, 13 and 17
Target Approach/strategy on how implementation of actions
under goal 7 deliver on the targets under goal 5
5.1 Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work
through the provision of public services, infrastructure and
social protection policies and the promotion of shared
responsibility within the household and the family
as nationally appropriate.
Improved access to energy reduces the time spent by
women and girls on basic survival activities (gathering
firewood, fetching water, cooking,)
5.2 Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular
information and communications technology, to promote
the empowerment of women.
Goal 5 – Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
Adopted from: Energypidia, (2018)

10.
C) Nexus between Goal 7 and other goals 5, 6, 8, 10, 13 and 17
Target Approach/strategy on how implementation of actions under
goal 7 deliver on the targets under goal 5
6.1 By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access
to safe and affordable drinking water for all
Investments in solar and wind energy for water purification and
desalination could help in achievement of this target.
6.2 By 2020, protect and restore water related
ecosystems, including: mountains, forests, wetlands,
rivers, aquifers and lakes
Investments in Energy-saving cookstoves and more efficient
charcoal production technologies reduce the pressure on forests
and other woody ecosystems by reducing the demand for
firewood and charcoal. In the long term ecosystems and
landscapes would be restored.
Goal 6 – Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
Adopted from: Energypidia, (2018)

11.
C) Nexus between Goal 7 and other goals 5, 8, 10, 13 and 17
Target Approach/strategy on how implementation of actions under
goal 7 deliver on the targets under goal 5
8.1 Promote development-oriented policies that
support productive activities, decent job creation,
entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and
encourage the formalization and growth of micro-,
small- and medium-sized enterprises, including
through access to financial services
8.2 By 2030, achieve full and productive
employment and decent work for all
women and men, including for young
people and persons with disabilities, and
equal pay for work of equal value
Production and commercialization of renewable energy
technology value chains creates jobs and small business for men
and women, youth – boys and girls.
Besides stepping up energy access and energy efficiency
facilitates enhanced productivity and inclusive economic
growth targeting all stakeholders including the vulnerable
gender categories - women and men, including for young
people and persons with disabilities
Goal 8 – Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and
decent work for all.
Adopted from: Energypidia, (2018)

12.
C) Nexus between Goal 7 and other goals 5, 8, 10, 13 and 17
Target Approach/strategy on how implementation of actions under
goal 7 deliver on the targets under goal 5
13.1 Integrate climate change measures into
national policies, strategies and planning
A transition from fossil fuel to clean and renewable energy
alternatives addresses this. This requires appropriate policies
and programs to support this shift.
Goal 13– Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
Adopted from: Energypidia, (2018)

13.
C) Nexus between Goal 7 and other goals 5, 8, 10, 13 and 17
Target Approach/strategy on how implementation
of actions under goal 7 deliver on the targets
under goal 5
17.1 Enhance North-South, South-South and triangular regional and
international cooperation on and access to science, technology and
innovation and enhance knowledge-sharing on mutually agreed terms,
including through improved coordination among existing mechanisms,
in particular at the United Nations level, and through a global
technology facilitation mechanism
17.2 Fully operationalize the technology bank and science, technology
and innovation capacity-building mechanism for least developed
countries by 2017 and enhance the use of enabling technology, in
particular information and communications technology
Universal access to energy for all promotes
utilizations of innovation and technology
because often these require energy to
operate.
Goal 17– Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development.
Adopted from: Energypidia, (2018)

14.
Target Key results
7.1. By 2030, ensure
universal access to
affordable, reliable
and modern energy
services.
7.2. By 2030, increase
substantially the
share of renewable
energy in the global
energy mix.
7.3. By 2030, double
the global rate of
improvement in
energy efficiency.
a. Uganda currently has 850 Megawatts (MW) of installed capacity (with effective generation of
approximately 710 MW), of which approximately 645 MW is hydro and 101.5 MW is thermal
(Power Africa, 2016);
b. Currently 26% of the population is accessing electricity.
c. Established Public Institutions with clear roles and responsibilities in the Energy sector. Some of
these include Electricity Regulatory Authority among others
d. Platforms for public awareness on the benefits and opportunities of renewable energy
technologies and appropriate institutions e.g. so far 9 annual energy week have been conducted;
e. Increased stakeholder participation e.g. during the Annual Joint Sector Review processes and
presence of the Sector Working Group that enable joint planning for sector development;
f. Government has established financial frameworks e.g. Uganda Energy Credit Capitalization
Company (UECCC) that facilitates investments in Renewable energy sector. Its objective is to
provide financial and technical support for projects and programs;
Goal 7 (Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all – by 2030).
D) Outstanding achievements to-date

15.
Target Key results
7.1. By 2030, ensure
universal access to
affordable, reliable
and modern energy
services.
7.2. By 2030, increase
substantially the share
of renewable energy
in the global energy
mix.
7.3. By 2030, double
the global rate of
improvement in
energy efficiency.
f. The private sector is organized and coordinated through Uganda National Renewable Energy
and Energy Efficiency Alliance and the Uganda National Clean Cooking Association.
g. Uganda Energy Capitalization Trust a framework for pulling resources from government r and
development partners for development of Renewable energy projects;
h. Development of the scaling up renewable energy investment plan at all scales.
i. Government programs such as Promotion of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
Programme (PREEP), biofuels, waste to energy, have been implemented to increase access to
renewable energy technologies among communities and stakeholders.
j. The civil society in the energy sector are getting better organized/coordinated through the
National CSO Network on Renewable Energy to effectively deliver on the role of advocacy and
independent monitoring. This is through collaboration between Environmental Alert and the
World Wide Fund – Uganda Country Office with financial support from Norwegian agency for
Development Cooperation based on the framework of the, ‘Increasing access to sustainable
and renewable energy alternatives in the Albertine Graben project.’
Goal 7 (Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all – by 2030).
D) Outstanding achievements to-date

16.
E) Key emerging issues (challenges & opportunities);
1. Over dependence on biomass (90% of the population) still using rudimentary technologies and practices, which are
wasteful with implications in terms of health risks;
2. Renewable energy is a cross cutting with shared roles and responsibilities between MEMD, Ministry of Water and
Environment and Local Government among others;
3. High tariffs for hydro electricity – thus, majority of Ugandans cannot afford the electricity;
4. Limited access and utilization of alternatives Renewable Energy technologies through technology transfer & development;
5. Weak enforcement of quality standards of the technologies;
6. The high upfront costs for renewable energy technologies;
7. Lack of guidelines for integration of gender in the energy sector;
8. The high influx of refugees presents a huge energy demand at the household level – accelerating environment degradation
in the host communities and landscapes;
9. Inadequate information on resource availability such as (geothermal, solar, wind, and mini- and micro-hydro) for decision
making in respect to investments in renewable energy projects;
10. Limited access to credit (green funds e.g. Green Climate Funds) for investment in energy/renewable energy sector;
11. The energy policies have matured, thus cannot adequately addressing the emerging issues in the current context!
12. Inadequate structured and coordinated reporting in respect to progress in implementation of the SGDs;
13. Varied understanding, knowledge and application of SDGs among stakeholders at different levels;
14. Were as the SDGs have clear targets and indicators, these have not been contextualized for Uganda making monitoring
and reporting difficult.
Challenges

17.
E) Key emerging issues (challenges & opportunities);
Opportunities
1. Ongoing plans and policy reviews e.g. National Development Plan II by National Planning Authority and Energy
policies by Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD);
2. Young population presents an opportunity that the country can capitalize on to increase its competitiveness and can
participate in various renewable energy enterprises if organized. 77% of Uganda’s population is dominated by the
youth under 30 years of age (UBOS, 2017);
3. Government, Non-Government Organizations and Private Sector programs/projects promoting renewable energy
technologies like improved cook stoves, solar, briquette making among others;
4. Existing private companies and networks engaged in promoting renewable energy technologies;
5. Existing financing mechanisms (e.g. UECCC) which facilitates investments in Renewable energy sector through
financial and technical support for renewable energy projects and programs;
6. The abundant wind, sun, and thermal which can be developed further to enhance modern energy;
7. There are linkages and synergies across the SDGs Pentagoals (i.e. 5, 7, 8, 10, 13 & 17), which if implemented have
multiple benefits to deliver on other SDGs. These should be identified and tapped into during implementation to
avoid duplication of efforts and resources, but advance effectiveness and efficiency.

18.
F) Concluding remarks and recommendations
1. Uganda is committed to implementation of SDG 7. To date there are several achievements and emerging issues which must be
addressed towards full implementation of the SDGs.
2. This is by large because the SDG 7 aspirations are to a great extent integrated in the overarching planning frameworks e.g.
Vision 2040, National Development Plan, Nationally Determined contributions and the National Green Growth strategy.
3. However, these commitments need to be further augmented in the sector rolling annual plans with adequate resources (i.e.
financial and human) for effective implementation of commitments at all scales (i.e. national, sub-regional, local & community).
4. The ongoing energy program and policy reviews (e.g. NDP II and Energy policies) provide a great opportunity to further cement
the SDG commitments in the context of several emerging issues to provide clearer and practical strategies for delivering on
them by 2030.
5. There is need for advancing structured and coordinated reporting on progress made towards delivery on the SDG targets across
sectors based on a nationalized monitoring and evaluation framework. This should be spearheaded by the Prime Ministers
Office and the National Planning Authority and possibly, SDG Focal Points should be appointed in each sector to effectively
support this.
6. Furthermore, regular national stakeholder forums should be organized for validation of the national progress reports on SDG
implementation.
7. The linkages and synergies across the SDG pentagoals (i.e. 5, 7, 8, 10, 13 & 17) should be identified and tapped into during
implementation to avoid duplication of efforts and resources, but advance effectiveness and efficiency.
8. The energy sector should develop and implement the gender strategy to advance gender mainstreaming in its interventions at
different scales.

19.
G. About Environmental Alert
Environmental Alert was founded in 1988 and is officially registered Non
Government Organization with board. Thus, in 2018 – Environmental
Alert made 30 years of contribution to food security and sustainable
environment and natural resources management in Uganda.
Environmental Alert is a 1st prize winner of the Energy globe award for
environmental sustainability- 2005 under the category, earth.
Environmental Alert is a member of the International Union for
Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and a Member of The IUCN National
Committee for Uganda.
Environmental Alert envisions, ‘Resilient and dignified communities,
managing their environment and natural resources sustainably.’
Environmental Alert’s mission is to, ‘Contribute to improved livelihoods
of vulnerable communities by Enhancing agricultural productivity
and sustainable natural resources management.
Further information about Environmental Alert is available at:
http://envalert.org/
Thank you for listening. For God and my County.
Environmental Alert hosts Secretariat for following
networks:
a) The Network for Civil Society
Organizations in Environment & Natural
Resources Sector (ENR-CSO Network)
http://enr-cso.org/ ;
b) Uganda Forestry Working Group
http://ufwg.envalert.org/;
c) The Standards Development Group; and
d) Promoting Local Innovation in
ecologically oriented agriculture and
natural resources management
(PROLINNOVA-Uganda Network)
http://www.prolinnova.net/uganda.
e) National CSO network on Renewable
Energy.