KAMPALA: The Centre for Research in Energy and Energy Conservation (CREEC) has called for stronger evidence-based planning, strategic investment and community-centred energy solutions to accelerate Uganda’s transition to cleaner energy.

The call emerged during the first day of the Renewable Energy Conference and Expo 2026 (REC26), where energy sector stakeholders convened to discuss policies, technologies, partnerships and investments needed to expand energy access and advance the energy transition.

CREEC, alongside the World Resources Institute (WRI) Africa, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development and the Power for Food Partnership, highlighted the role of geospatial data and practical research in translating Uganda’s energy access ambitions into viable projects that benefit communities.

Discussions focused on strengthening district-level energy planning using evidence to identify local needs, guide investment priorities and develop projects capable of attracting financing.

According to CREEC Managing Director Mary Susan Abbo, expanding energy access requires more than deploying technologies. It also depends on demonstrating their value, using reliable evidence to guide decisions and ensuring solutions respond to the needs of the communities they serve.

Data to guide energy investment

During engagements with WRI Africa, stakeholders explored how tools such as the Energy Access Explorer (EAE) and geographic information systems (GIS) can support district authorities in identifying energy needs and integrating them into local development plans.

The tools can help decision-makers map energy access gaps, identify potential areas for investment and assess opportunities across sectors, including healthcare, agriculture and clean cooking.

Participants emphasised the importance of strengthening district ownership, building local planning capacity and promoting collaboration across sectors to ensure that energy priorities translate into implementable projects.

The discussions also highlighted the need to connect data and planning with investment opportunities, helping transform identified community needs into bankable projects that can attract public and private sector financing.

The central message was that better data must lead to better decisions, viable investments and tangible improvements in energy access.

Solar irrigation to support agriculture

Through the Power for Food Partnership, CREEC is showcasing how solar-powered irrigation can help farmers access reliable water for their crops, improve productivity and increase agricultural yields.

Solar irrigation offers an opportunity to apply renewable energy to productive economic activities, particularly agriculture, where dependable water access can support farming operations and livelihoods.

By demonstrating practical applications of renewable energy, the partnership aims to highlight how clean technologies can deliver benefits beyond electricity access by supporting food production and economic activity.

The approach also reflects the importance of linking energy investments to the needs of other sectors, ensuring that renewable energy solutions contribute to broader development objectives.

Promoting cleaner cooking technologies

CREEC is also sharing research and practical insights into cleaner, more efficient cooking technologies and their potential to reduce energy consumption and lower cooking costs.

The discussions highlighted the importance of helping households and institutions understand available technologies and make informed choices about transitioning to sustainable cooking solutions.

Clean cooking remains an important component of the wider energy transition, requiring solutions that are efficient, affordable and suited to users’ needs.

Through research, technical expertise and knowledge sharing, CREEC seeks to bridge the gap between technology development and practical adoption, helping communities understand the benefits of cleaner energy alternatives.

Turning ambitions into action

The engagements at REC26 reinforced the importance of bringing together government agencies, research institutions, development partners, district authorities and private sector investors to accelerate energy access.

For Uganda, strengthening local energy planning could help direct resources towards underserved communities while identifying opportunities in productive energy use, healthcare electrification and clean cooking.

However, stakeholders noted that identifying energy needs is only part of the process. Effective implementation also requires local ownership, appropriate financing, institutional coordination and the capacity to develop projects that can be delivered on the ground.

For CREEC, the focus remains on connecting research and technical expertise with practical energy solutions that improve livelihoods and support sustainable development.

As the Renewable Energy Conference and Expo 2026 continues, the discussions are expected to provide further opportunities for stakeholders to share knowledge, build partnerships and explore investments that can expand access to cleaner technologies.

The broader objective is to ensure that Uganda’s energy transition delivers measurable benefits to households, farmers, businesses and public institutions, turning energy access ambitions into practical solutions for communities.