Toshihiro Mukai ( 向井登志広 )
Since March 4th, I have stayed in the Republic of Uganda, a country in east Africa. The purposes of the visit are to see public sector organizations’ work, and to study the electricity issues in the country. The present visit was financially supported by the Taki Hisao Foundation at Tokyo Institute of Technology.
Figure 1. The Republic of Uganda
Source: World Factbook
When I did internship at the UK parliamentary office of science and technology on February 2009, I met Mr. Richard Ssendege, a senior research officer at the department of library and research within the parliament of Uganda. He permitted me to do internship at his department for two weeks, from 7th to 18th, March.
Unfortunately, there had been right after the election for the members of parliament and before launching the new parliamentary work, meaning that I could not experience usual activities at the department. However, I was also lucky to have enough time to visit and discuss with people working at a variety of organizations, from the parliamentary office and the ministry of energy, to a local not-for-profit organization dealing with energy and environment.
<Schedule>
March, 7th, Mon.
- Met the director, the assistant directors, the officers of the department of library and research
- Briefly discussed with Mr. Simon Engitu, the assistant director of library division
8th, Tue.
- Holiday (International women’s day)
9th, Wed.
- Briefly discussed with Mr. Enoth Tumukwasibwe, the assistant director of research division
- Was guided inside the chamber of the parliament
- Met staffs at a local not-for-profit organization, Joint Environment and Energy Projects (JEEP), which deals with small solar photovoltaic projects in off-grid rural area
10th, Thu.
- Visited the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA)
- Visited the National Environmental Management Authority
- Discussed with Mr. Richard Ssendege Mubiru, the senior research officer in agriculture, fishery and animal industry
- Discussed with Mr. Peter Acuch, the research officer in engineering
11th, Fri.
- Visited Zirobwe, northeast of Kampala, where is the JEEP project site for small solar photovoltaic systems
14th, Mon.
- Visited the Owen Falls hydro power plant
15th, Tue.
- Visited the Center for Research in Energy and Energy Conservation (CREEC) within the Makerere University, and discussed with Dr. Steffen Wasseler, the head of solar photovoltaic research group
16th, Wed
- Discussed with Mr. Joseph Bwambale, the engineer at the ERA
- Visited the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Ltd. (UETCL)
- Discussed with Mr. Innocent Rugambwa, the director of the department of library and research
17th, Thu
- Discussed with Mr. Michael Ahimbisibwe, the senior officer at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development
- Visited the Rural Electrification Agency (RUA)
18th, Fri.
- Presented what I learned through the internship to Mr. Richard, and the other research officers, and discussed several topics relating to parliamentary research service, energy and electricity issues in Uganda
- Had a farewell dinner
Picture 1. With Mr. Richard Ssendege, at the Owen Falls’ 50MW Hydro Power Plant. More than 50% of the country’s electricity is generated from the blessings of nature, river Nile. It means electricity supply is highly dependent on the water level of the lake Victoria, which causes frequent load shedding during droughts. Government is in a hurry to construct alternative electricity resources, such as thermal power plants and co-generation power plants using sugarcane residue.
Picture 2. Chamber of the Parliament. The 8th parliament of Uganda will begin from March 22nd, with almost 400 seats. The number of the seats is increased from 7th parliament, 327 seats, and it is planed to rebuild the chamber.
Picture 3. Parliamentary Library.
Picture 4. Mr. Peter Acuch, a research officer in civil engineering. Mainly he organized my internship programme. Thank You Very Much!
Throughout the internship, I met and discussed numerous people from the parliament and other public sector organizations. I would present the discussions by writing a full report soon.
In the followings, I would show a few visits outside the parliament, which I could take pictures…
Visit to Solar Energy Project Site in Off-Grid Rural Area
On March 11th, I visited to Zirobwe, a project site done by Joint Environment and Energy Projects (JEEP), a local not-for-profit organization dealing with solar photovoltaic energy systems. Since 2008, they have installed several small-scale solar photovoltaic energy systems in cooperation with local residents. For starting up the project, JEEP technically and financially assisted the community. Gradually the project has created positive cash flow and the community has managed the solar systems by themselves.
Picture 5. The end of grid. UN Development Programme estimates that about ninety percent of the population have no access to electricity.
Picture 6. Cell phone charging system using solar energy at Zirobwe. In the past, residents went to the neighboring cities to charge their cell phones by paying transportation cost (about 1,000 Uganda shilling = about 50 Japanese Yen) in addition to the charging fee (500 Ush). After the project began, residents just pay the charging fee, which will be financial source for next solar projects.
Picture 7. Battery charging system using solar energy. The community earns profit by lending the charged battery to play music in parties, watching at World Cup games using wide screen, etc.
Picture 8. The community’s leader. He provided his lands for constructing the solar charging system. He told that he wanted to spread the solar systems to the neighboring villages by using the fund stored by the existing project.
Picture 9. Solar lantern. The product is carefully designed to fit the residents’ needs. It is used for lighting in rooms, on desks, or in hands.
Picture 10. Cows on my way back. If you visit rural areas of the country, you will see the scenery which some of you may expect…
Visit to Research Center for Energy in Makerere University
On March 15th, I visited the Center for Research in Energy and Energy Conservation (CREEC) within the Makerere University. Dr. Steffen Wassler, head of solar photovoltaic lab, kindly introduced the center.
Picture 9. Dr. Steffen Wasseler and a doctoral student studying in his lab.
Picture 12. Solar panel on the roof of the center’s building. In Uganda, rooftop is appropriate installation place because there is a risk of steeling.
Picture 13. Electricity management system developed by the center. The yellow box is power conditioner. The red box is important equipment, switching the source of electricity. When electricity is generated by solar, electric currency is directly sent to the building while charging batteries. When the sun is hidden, electric currency comes from the charged battery. The system can reduce electricity loss of charging batteries, which is almost fifty percent of generated electricity.
The management system is expected to use for larger systems than residential use, because of equipment cost.
Picture 14. Small biogas system. By using the green gas…
Picture 15. Students enjoy coffer break. I also enjoyed it. Thank you!
On the last day of the internship, I presented the department officers what I learned through the internship. At that night, Mr. Richard kindly organized a farewell dinner.
Picture 16. Farewell dinner.
From next week, I would join in the activities in ASHINAGA UGANDA, a Japanese not-for-profit organization, which cares local AIDS orphans for 10 years.
SEE YOU.