The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development has challenged leaders and development stakeholders to rethink how success in energy access is measured, warning against equating the installation of equipment and infrastructure with improved livelihoods for farmers.
Speaking at the 2026 Dream Partners Conference in Kampala, organised by Heifer International, Commissioner for Renewable Energy Dr. Brian Isabirye said installed capacity, including 2,100 megawatts of electricity and kilometres of power transmission and distribution lines, does not necessarily reflect the actual needs or economic benefits experienced by people on the ground.
Dr. Isabirye emphasised that farmers do not need solar-powered irrigation pumps simply to own the equipment, but rather to reduce agricultural losses, secure reliable water supplies, increase their incomes and access premium markets.
He noted that electricity should not be treated as an end in itself but as a tool for driving economic transformation and prosperity.
According to Isabirye, the real measure of progress should be reflected in the number of hectares brought under irrigation, jobs created, household incomes improved and industries established through access to reliable energy.
He also highlighted the emerging potential of agri-solar technology, calling for a shift beyond standalone solar irrigation pumps towards integrated systems that use solar power to support irrigation, cold storage, agricultural processing and electric mobility.
The Commissioner further advocated for the adoption of agrivoltaics, an approach that allows the same piece of land to be used for both agricultural production and solar electricity generation.
He also called for expanded net-metering arrangements to enable farmers who generate surplus solar electricity to feed it into the national grid and earn additional income.
His remarks underscored the need to measure energy investments not merely by the infrastructure installed, but by their contribution to agricultural productivity, job creation, increased incomes and sustainable rural development.
By Olivia Nabaggala
4th Nov 2026
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