Distributed generation in Uganda: potential and status of Exploitation

Uganda is a landlocked country located in East Africa, bordered by Kenya to the east, South Sudan in the north, Democratic Republic of the Congo in the west, Rwanda in the southwest and Tanzania in the south. Located on the basin of River Nile, this country is situated between latitudes of 4°N and 2°S and longitudes of 29° and 35°E. Almost a fifth of the country is made up of open water or swampland. This land varies in its physical features from plains to mountains and forest. The population of Uganda is approximately 35 million. The economy of Uganda is dependent mostly on agriculture. Uganda is bestowed with a variety of renewable energy resources like biomass, solar, geothermal, wind and hydropower and others. Since attaining independence in 1963, Uganda experienced low levels of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth from a low base, growing from less than US$100 per capita in 1962, to its maximum value of about US$500 in 2012. This can mainly be attributed to the difficult political times and frequent political regime changes during this period. It is observed that tens of years of political disorder and fierce conflicts are partly responsible for this situation.