Most villages in Kayunga District are either totally without electric power supply or are poorly served with distribution limited to a few wealthy homeowners.

The rural electrification project set up by the government has had no significant impact in most village areas of Kayunga District.

BUVAD advocates a more equitable approach to power distribution in the rural areas of Kayunga District and believes that Solar Power is the best way forward.  The current electrification project the government is bringing to Uganda utilizes Hydro Electric, which introduces a monthly fee into the lives of people making less than a dollar a day.  Even if electricity is introduced to the area and income improves significantly as a result of BUVAD’s programmes, many people will remain without power, unable to afford the monthly fees. 

Solar offers an efficient, low maintenance means of power based on a renewable resource Uganda has plenty of.  Other than the start up cost, there is no monthly fee, making Solar the most practical alternative. 

There is no debate as there is in so many other parts of the world about the practicality of using Solar.  Many community members are well aware of Solar Power and accept it as a means of electricity.  BUVAD hopes to establish Solar Power usage to Kayunga District at little or no cost to the homeowner.   

Findings in our survey showed 91% of residents used paraffin candles as their only source of lighting.  A paraffin candle is basically a bowl of paraffin with a long wick in it.  Paraffin not only poses significant health risks, it is dangerous to use and many house fires have started as a result of accidents using this method of lighting.

When asked what their preferred source of lighting is, a majority of the respondents in our survey say they would be happy with a lantern.  Most people in the community believe that they will never see any electricity in the area.

Until paraffin usage can be eradicated by more efficient means of power, BUVAD intends to replace as many candles with lanterns as possible.  While lanterns are still inefficient and dangerous, they are a significant upgrade and will greatly improve people’s life. 

Lanterns are very inexpensive and you can purchase them on our donation page.  BUVAD will see that the lantern gets to a needy home.