From darkness to solar light in Kijumba village

Energy access has long been a daily struggle in the village of Kijumba, Uganda, which is nestled along the routes of two dirty energy pipelines, East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) and the Multipurpose Pipeline. Families lived in darkness, relying on hazardous methods like burning dry grass or using torches to light their homes. For locals like Vesitiina Kyomukama, this meant her children had no light to study by, and her family often ate meals outside by moonlight, vulnerable to snake bites.

The solution arrived with the REPower Afrika Campaign, launched by 350 Africa and Centre for Citizens Conserving Environment (CECIC) an NGO seeking to transform environmental policies in Uganda. As part of this initiative, Vesitiina and 19 other women in the community received skills to install and maintain solar systems in their homes. The solar energy they harness now powers light & electricity in their homes safely, reduces reliance on firewood & improves education opportunities by allowing children to study at night. These women, in turn, even taught these skills to their children and entire family so everyone is well-versed in operating solar systems. 

This energy freedom has given the women and locals of Kijumba a brighter future, along with the determination to advocate for renewable energy access across Uganda. Vesitiina and her fellow community members are now urging the Ugandan Government to make solar technology accessible for all, dreaming of a future for every home to shift from darkness to solar light. 

 

Kijumba village in the Western Uganda district of Hoima is unique because it is home to two fossil fuel pipelines – the East African Crude Oil Pipeline(EACOP) and the multi-purpose pipeline. Already renowned for its destruction of nature, the EACOP pipeline has also displaced villagers along its route.

 

Despite promises that the crude oil pipeline will bring development and investment to the area, Edwin Mumbere from the Centre for Citizens Conserving Environment says communities like Kijumba have actually been left poorer – because of a lack of adequate and timely compensation. “There are some things you cannot compensate for in life and on planet Earth. You cannot compensate soil fertility,” Edwin explains.

 

Annet Chantal, a farmer in Kijumba holds a solar panel outside of her home “I didn’t benefit much from the pipeline because of the meager compensation I received. I was compensated little money that could not allow me to buy another piece of land. I really regret losing my land to the project which has left me without land for cultivation.”

 

But Edwin Mumbere has been training women how to use and install solar panels in their homes. In bringing the technology to the villagers he demonstrates that there is an alternative form of energy that the community can advocate for and actively request the government to invest.

 

Edwin teaches all aspects of solar installations – from wiring and how the technology works…

 

through to the panels being installed on people’s homes.

 

Kijumba farmer, Mukabarungyi Jolene told us that before she received the solar system she was struggling with darkness and other women spoke of the increased health and environmental benefits after no longer using firewood and grass to light their homes at night.

 

Jolene connects wires to turn the power on in her own home and her entire family has now been taught how to operate the system. The initiative has been so successful the community are now hoping to install a micro-grid so more homes can reap the benefits of solar.

 

With the micro-grid, even more families would be able to light their homes reliably and sustainably

 

And thanks to the panels already in place children in Kijumba village can read and revise at night.

“Before we were given this solar system, we used to live in total darkness, and the only remedy was to light up dry reeds for light inside the house. But when we were given the solar system, our children started revising their books, and life is better now.”
~ Vesitiina Kyomukama, local farmer & mother of four

More about the project

– Photos of the women of Kijumba who have turned to solar energy and are calling on the Ugandan government to follow suit can be found here
– Additional video footage available upon request

REPower Afrika: A community-led solution

Credits

With thanks to 350 Africa, CECIC, and the women of Kijumba.

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