The government has started the distribution of free cooking gas cylinders and burners in an effort to encourage the public to use clean and affordable energy.
The Minister for Energy and Mineral Development, Ruth Nankabirwa, urged the population to embrace energy transition in order to conserve the environment through the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Scheme which advocates for safe, clean cooking.
She said to achieve this, the government, through her Ministry, has contracted Burhani Engineering Services to manufacture one million gas cylinders to be given to Ugandans free of charge.
Nankabirwa made the remarks Tuesday, July 5 while launching a countrywide free distribution of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) “Cooking Gas”.
Energy ministry spokesperson, Solomon Muyita, said the government will distribute one million 13kg Cylinders and burners through TotalEnergies, Shell and Stabex International.
“Here is the government’s plan via the ministry of Energy to popularize liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). In the long run, when adopted by many Ugandans, the impact on the environment (forests) will reduce,” Muyita noted.
In her turn, Nankabirwa who presided over the launch of distribution of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Starter Kits, said this is in line with the mandate of her Ministry: “To Establish, Promote the Development, Strategically Manage and Safeguard the Rational and Sustainable Exploitation and Utilization of Energy and Mineral Resource for Social and Economic Development”.
The (NDPIII) emphasizes the need for increased uptake of LPG, commonly referred to as “cooking gas”, at the household level as part of the Government’s efforts to improve the quality of life.
She said the Ministry has commenced the Distribution of LPG Starter Kits aimed at scaling up the usage of cooking gas in households.
“This intervention targets LPG cooking energy to grow from the current 0.8 percent to 20 percent of Ugandan households by the year 2030. The Ministry shall give out 1 million LPG Starter Kits to Ugandans for free – comprising locally manufactured 13kg cylinders with accessories and a cook stove.”
She said these Kits will be given freely to deserving households not using LPG who will be required to pay for the gas.
The Kits will be distributed on behalf of the Ministry by Vivo Energy Uganda, TotalEnergies Marketing Uganda Ltd and Stabex International Uganda Ltd, starting 12th July 2022.
The companies shall distribute the cylinders to households in different parts of the country.
