Gulu City has received 2,000 free Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders and burners from the government as part of efforts to promote clean energy and environmental conservation.
The initiative is part of the government's broader strategy, launched in 2022, to distribute at least one million LPG cylinders to Ugandans.
The government has partnered with fuel companies, including Shell, TotalEnergies, and Stabex, to provide the gas cylinders in a bid to reduce reliance on traditional cooking fuels such as firewood and charcoal.
Speaking during the launch of the distribution on Tuesday, Gulu City Mayor Alfred Okwonga emphasized the importance of transitioning to cleaner energy sources. He noted that the heavy dependence on biomass fuels over the years has led to deforestation, negatively impacting the environment and public health.
Okwonga urged beneficiaries to embrace the use of gas for cooking and encouraged local businesses to adopt clean energy solutions. He also appealed to the government to subsidize gas refills to ensure that the initiative remains sustainable.
Each benefiting household received a 13kg LPG cylinder, burner, and other accessories. Residents expressed their gratitude for the initiative, highlighting its potential to improve their lives.
Felix Okello, one of the beneficiaries, praised the government for introducing the project, saying it would save time in cooking and support environmental conservation efforts.
Another resident, Rose Ojara, pointed out that using gas would reduce the pressure on cutting down trees and lessen the burden of using charcoal for daily cooking, especially for mothers.
Local leaders also welcomed the initiative. Sunday Filder Adong, LC I Chairperson of Layibi Industrial Cell, said the intervention would help ease financial strain on households struggling with the rising cost of charcoal while also protecting the environment.
“This intervention will improve our health, ease the financial burden on us, and contribute to environmental protection; we are happy for these stoves,” Adong remarked.
Experts have warned that deforestation rates in northern Uganda are on the rise due to the high demand for firewood and charcoal.
The introduction of clean cooking stoves is expected to help curb tree-cutting and slow down environmental degradation.
With the government’s continued efforts to promote clean energy, stakeholders hope that more households will embrace LPG as a safer and more sustainable cooking alternative.
