Analysis of the policy and legal framework for energy transition in Uganda

Abstract

Energy transition refers to the shift from traditional, fossil-fuel-based energy systems to renewable sources like solar and wind. The global commitment to sustainable energy transition therefore implies a transformative shift in how energy is produced, distributed and consumed with the goal of moving away from fossil fuels towards an energy system centered on renewable energy sources. The overriding goal of this shift is to reduce carbon emissions and build a more sustainable future for humanity. At the national level, accelerating and achieving this transition requires deliberate measures to scale up renewable energy production and energy storage, decarbonizing sectors reliant on fossil fuels, accelerating energy efficiency measures and adopting innovative financing mechanisms and the global, regional and national levels. While the energy transition is a deeply technology driven process, it requires an enabling policy and legal environment that provides the framework for energy generation, transmission, distribution and access, among other. This study assesses the current energy policy and legal framework in Uganda and the extent to which the existing framework provides a basis for attaining a sustainable energy transition. That study concludes that an enabling legal regime ought to address a range of issues within the energy transition process including: financing, investment, grid integration and energy justice issues encompassing the broad spectrum of a national energy mix.