Jinja and Gulu, Uganda, August 20 -22, 2025 – The Clean Cooking Unit at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD), with support from the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and funding from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), held regional stakeholder engagements to introduce the Clean Cooking Unit (CCU) to the Eastern and Northern regional stakeholders, strengthen collaboration, and expand Uganda’s national clean cooking stakeholder map. 

The missions brought together about 80 stakeholders from government, private sector actors, civil society, and academia. The sessions presented Uganda’s clean cooking roadmap and gathered input on coordination gaps and priorities. “The establishment of the CCU is a timely step in aligning Uganda’s National Energy transition plan, where clean cooking is one of the key priorities,” Eng. Herbert Abigaba, Head of CCU/ MEMD remarked.

The CCU was established and is embedded within MEMD under the FCDO-funded project on ‘Setting up the Uganda Clean Cooking Unit’, and it focuses on investment and programmatic efforts aimed at accelerating Uganda’s transition to clean cooking. “As GGGI, we are committed to continue working with the Government and other stakeholders to scale up clean cooking solutions that improve lives, protect the environment, and create green growth opportunities,” Mr. Ronnie Ssejjuko, Project Manager, GGGI Uganda highlighted.

During the discussion, participants appreciated the importance of these workshops as they provide clarity about the CCU and its roles. “This mission provided a practical forum to map out actors, strengthen partnerships, and co-design approaches that will accelerate adoption of clean cooking technologies in our communities,” remarked one participant during the Gulu session. 

Besides the mission, the CCU team visited innovative enterprises that are contributing to Uganda’s clean energy transition. In Jinja, staff toured Good Briquettes Initiative Limited in Nakabango Village, where CEO Siraje Kamugisha demonstrated the briquette-making process. The enterprise is producing affordable, sustainable briquettes that reduce reliance on traditional biomass while creating jobs and improving household energy access. In Gulu, the team visited Kijani Forestry Limited, a social enterprise driving sustainable charcoal production through forestry using fast-growing tree species. The visit, led by Mr. Michael Tebere, Director for Government and Partner Relations, showcased how forestry-based solutions can provide cleaner, more sustainable alternatives to traditional charcoal. 

Moving forward, the Unit will now continue to refine coordination mechanisms, support integration of clean cooking into development plans, and mobilize resources to scale up clean cooking technologies nationwide. GGGI hopes to continue supporting the Government of Uganda to operationalize the CCU, strengthen stakeholder partnerships, and unlock financing that will enable access to clean cooking solutions across Uganda. 

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© Photo Credit: GGGI