Publications

Understanding and developing value chains is receiving more attention as a systems-based approach for accelerating and scaling-up development processes. By their nature, value chains involve and connect multiple actors. A value chain approach is, additionally, applicable across economic as well as social domains. In this interesting case, Duncan Mwesige describes a capacity-development intervention in an agricultural value chain in Uganda. He shows how particular multi-stakeholder processes (MSPs) were pivotal in helping chain-connected actors to develop new forms of cooperation that strongly improved efficiency, trust and pro-poor results at many levels. The practitioner will also find a number of practical lessons on the application of MSP methodologies.

Click here for more information on 'Capacity Development in Practice - Complete Publication'

The objective of this assignment is to facilitate the selection of an appropriate design for domestic biogas installations to be supported by the proposed programme in Uganda. In particular, the assignment addresses the following in detail:
• A proposal of the criteria for the selection of the most appropriate technology (performance factors);
• An overview of prices of (un-) skilled labour and construction materials in those locations suitable and
• potential for biogas promotion;
• A proposal of an appropriate design for domestic biogas plants;
• A proposal of an appropriate plant-size range for domestic biogas installations;
• Some detailed construction drawings for the proposed design in its proposed sizes;
• A detailed Bill of Quantities for the
• proposed design in its proposed sizes, and;
• A provision of a complete plant-costing overview for the proposed design in its proposed sizes, with a clear indication which costs can be born by the participating households in kind.

Most of the information is gathered through a survey that identifies prices of needed materials, agreement on performance factors and matching of appropriate existing plant designs with the performance factors as preparation for the constructors Workshop, a field visit and 2- day workshop were a number of relevant stakeholders participated.

This annual report provides more detail of the strategic position choices SNV made in East and Southern Africa in 2007 and illustrates our approach with case studies from our practice.

Energy in Africa capability statement

Biogas for better life: an African initiative. Report on the feasibility for a national household biogas commercialization program in Uganda (2007).

Initial screening activities and field work show that Uganda offers one of the best near-term prospects for biogas commercialization in the region. The existence of policies supporting the rural energy investments and institutional mechanisms that have been built through earlier work by the government and private sectors in Uganda, together with the energy crisis being faced by the country, provide a conducive entry point for an integrated household-level biogas program.

This report contains 8 chapters in total. Chapter 1 gives an introduction. Chapter 2 lays out the study design along with the objectives, methodology and limitations. The background of Uganda is presented in Chapter 3, with elaboration of the physical climate, politics and culture, the economy, the agricultural sector, the energy sector, the environment and health and education. Chapter 4 elaborates on the existing
knowledge and practices with the history of biogas, the biodigester models in Uganda and the costs of biogas plants. The potential demand for biogas plants is the subject of Chapter 5, with government policies and programmes, the private sector, the appropriate size and design of a plant, and financial and economic analysis included. Chapter 6 goes into the financing of plants, looking at the microfinance sector, the government microfinance programme, and the funds available. The potential stakeholders are outlined in Chapter 7 with government agencies, NGO, farmer’s organisations, private sector companies and microfinance institutions as possible actors. The final Chapter 8 gives an outline for a national biogas programme.

The main objective of the institutional arrangement mission was to finalize the institutional arrangements for the proposed domestic biogas programme in Uganda. The document describes the objective of the proposed Uganda Domestic Biogas Programme (UDBP) and its target group. Further, it describes the sector, its demand and supply side. The primary process is described as the commercial transaction between the (prospective) biogas household and the Biogas Construction Enterprise (BCE), in which both parties aim to maximize their returns.

National biogas programmes require a wide range of functions to be executed in a comprehensive and coordinated manner. Examples of such functions are promotion and marketing, financing, construction & after sales, operation & maintenance, quality control, training & extension, research & development,
monitoring & evaluation, and programme management. This is called the multi-actor approach.

The document continues with apex actors in the sector like the National Biogas Steering Committee (NBSC), the Uganda Biogas Programme Office (UBP- Office), ABPP and Hivos, international technical assistance and the Ministry of Energy and Mines Development. The primary process actors in the sector are: biogas construction enterprises, the Uganda Biogas Association (UBA), and micro-finance organizations. Support process actors in the sector are: rural development, renewable energy and organic farming NGOs, vocational training institutes, Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PFSU), and the East Africa Energy Technology Development Network (EAETDN). Finally the detailed actor – activity matrix for the Uganda Domestic Biogas Programme, based on the detailed Institutional Arrangement Consultations of the mission is presented.

The Uganda Domestic Biogas Programme (UDBP) shall focus on the development of the biogas sector in Uganda.The plans for strengthening the biogas sector, started with the tasks of undertaking a feasibility study (2007), which examined the technical, economic, and sociological and political context of the feasibility of a national program for household biogas. In the Nairobi conference of 20-23rd May 2007, the Government of Uganda committed itself to the Biogas for better life Africa initiative.

This document presents the Programme Implementation Document for Uganda. The report contains information on: The country background and energy situation in Uganda with a focus on the economy, poverty and the environment, government structures, biomass demand and supply, renewable energy sources, and national level policies and plans that links to biogas; Biogas in Uganda with the history, existing practices and knowledge, market potential, economic and financial potential, limitations, biogas plant size selection, strength and weaknesses and opportunities and threats; Programme objectives with the overall and specific objectives, and expected results; Output targets with production targets, biogas service providers, appliances manufacturers, and quality management; and Programme components, activities and inputs with different work packages called Promotion and marketing, Finance, Private sector development, Quality management, Training/Capacity building, Extension services, Institutional support, Monitoring and evaluation, and Programme sustainability.