Perspective of Bioenergy and Jatropha in Uganda

William Kyamuhangire, PhD.Associate ProfessorFaculty of AgricultureMakerere University

Uganda

Map of Uganda

Uganda facts

Land locked Population 29 million, 80% rural Population growth rate: 3% GDP growth 6% Agrarian economy

Peasant farming Raw material exports

Energy picture in Uganda 91% biomass based energy

Deforestation Hydro power generation

High potential >2GW Installed capacity 280 MW Current <150MW

Thermal 150MW Hydro and thermal electricity covers 9% Transport Sector 100% petroleum fuel

High import bill Energy insecurity

The National Energy Policy

Accelerated power generation from renewable resources

Development/adoption and utilization of other modern fuels and technologies (bioenergy)

Aims: Socio-economic development especially

transforming rural areas Address poverty issues, catalyse industrialization

and protect the environment.

Policy and Actions on Biofuels Biofuels: oils and fats, biodiesel and

ethanol Blend all fossil diesel with up to 20%

biodiesel Govt promoting production of oil crops

For edible oil For biodiesel

Biodiesel targeted for transport and for rural electrification

Jatropha Production in Uganda Grown to support

the vanilla crop on small holder farms

Variety not known, seed yield and potetial

Seeds considered useless

Farmers started selling the seeds

Developments in Jatropha Production and Use

Makerere University Extraction of jatropha oil Conversion into biodiesel

Bas Lankveld flower farm Buys seeds Uses Jatropha oil as fuel for farm machinery

MEMD/GTZ Piloting jatropha oil fueled electric generator Policy development and implementation

Developments in Jatropha Production and Use cont.

Feasibility studies MEMD Private initiatives

Barriers to bioenergy development and use

Prospects for petroleum deposits exploitation

Inadequate Legal and Institutional Framework

Limited Technical and Institutional Capacity Lack of Financing Mechanisms Underdeveloped market Lack of Research and Development

Support

Expected benefits of deploying biodiesel Improved national energy security by using

indigenous renewable energy sources instead of imported fossil fuel

Create employment and income in rural areas

Promotion of a new source of income to farmers

Support rural electrification strategy Promotion of technology transfer and skills

development

Conclusions Biofuels are not an absolute substitute to fossil fuels but

if produced under adequate policy regimes they offer one of the stepping stones towards a development among poor countries.

Since the collapse of the commodity markets in the 70s, biofuels offer the first expanded market opportunity and rise in commodity prices for poor producer countries.

Least developed countries should take advantage of this window of opportunity to develop their agriculture and industry.

There is need to support the biofuels initiatives in the developing countries in order to realize economic gains.