Museveni Signs Energy Efficiency and Conservation Law, seven Others.
By Admin
Uganda has taken a decisive step toward a cleaner, more sustainable energy future after President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni assented to the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act, 2026, part of a broader package of eight new laws aimed at tightening regulation, strengthening worker protections, and improving institutional performance across key sectors.
Now in force, the energy law was passed at its third reading by the Parliament of Uganda on March 27, 2024, and subsequently sent to the President for assent.
The new energy law, widely seen as one of the most consequential reforms in Uganda’s power and environmental landscape in recent years, introduces mandatory energy standards, audits, and regulations targeting inefficient technologies across industries, households, and transport systems.
Its passage comes at a critical moment, as Uganda grapples with rising energy demand and mounting climate pressures. At its core lies a transformative principle known to many as "the cheapest and cleanest energy is the energy that is not wasted."
From voluntary to enforceable action
Until now, energy efficiency efforts in Uganda have largely been voluntary, leaving the country exposed to an influx of outdated, energy-intensive technologies. Analysts have long warned that the absence of a clear regulatory framework not only undermines efficiency gains but also risks turning Uganda into a dumping ground for obsolete equipment.
The new law directly confronts these challenges by institutionalizing efficiency standards and creating enforcement mechanisms. It also addresses long-standing barriers such as limited financing options for upgrading equipment and weak oversight of energy-consuming technologies.
By formalizing energy audits and setting minimum performance benchmarks, the law is expected to drive widespread adoption of modern, efficient systems in industrial, commercial, and domestic settings.
*Clean cooking, transport in focus*
Beyond electricity use, the legislation extends into two of Uganda’s most energy-intensive and environmentally sensitive sectors: transport and cooking. Provisions within the law promote clean cooking technologies and support the development of electric vehicle infrastructure, alongside introducing fuel and emission standards aimed at curbing pollution.
These interventions are particularly significant given research indicating that transport, cooking, and agriculture are among the leading drivers of biodiversity loss. Addressing energy use in at least two of these sectors marks a strategic shift toward integrated environmental management.
*Climate and development alignment*
The Energy Efficiency and Conservation law positions Uganda to align more closely with global development frameworks, including United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) seven on affordable and clean energy and SDG 13 on climate action.
Experts say the law could help lower national energy demand, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and attract investment in green technologies while easing pressure on households and businesses through reduced energy costs.
It also complements ongoing efforts by conservation actors, including the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Uganda, European Union (EU) in Uganda, whose 2026–2030 strategy prioritizes legal frameworks that promote clean energy, cut emissions, and safeguard natural resources.
The energy law is among eight pieces of legislation signed by the president, reflecting a broad push to modernize Uganda’s regulatory and institutional landscape.
Also assented to is the National Drug and Health Products Authority Act, 2026, which expands oversight of medicines, vaccines, diagnostics, medical devices, and cosmetics to enhance public health safety.
Other laws include the Employment (Amendment) Act, 2025, strengthening protections for domestic, casual, and migrant workers; and the Forensic and Scientific Analytical Services Act, 2026, aimed at improving forensic systems and evidence handling.
The package further features the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Act, 2026, the Public Enterprises Reform and Divestiture (Amendment) Act, 2024, the Magistrates Courts (Amendment) Act, 2026, and the Non-Performing Assets Recovery Trust (Repeal) Act, 2024, which transfers the Trust’s functions to the Ministry of Finance to streamline operations.