In a groundbreaking move to enhance healthcare delivery and climate resilience, the Government of Uganda has officially launched the Health Facility Solar Electrification (HFSE) Project, a $5 million initiative set to equip 250 public health facilities with solar energy systems by December 2025.
Spearheaded by the Ministry of Health with support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and implemented in partnership with UNICEF, the project positions Uganda at the forefront of sustainable healthcare innovation alongside pilot countries Ethiopia, Pakistan, and Zambia.
Speaking at the official flag-off, Minister of Health Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero said the solar equipment is ready for immediate distribution, with installation across all selected sites expected to be completed within the next 16 months. “This is a big step toward ensuring uninterrupted health services in rural and underserved communities,” she noted.
The selected facilities include 19 Health Center IIs, 218 Health Center IIIs, and 13 Health Center IVs, primarily located in hard-to-reach areas such as mountainous regions and fishing communities. These centers were prioritized based on their high patient volumes in immunization, maternal and child health, and emergency obstetric care services.
Each site will receive a centralized solar energy system with a capacity of 3.6 to 12 kilowatts peak (KWP), enough to power vaccine refrigerators, maternity wards, laboratories, computers, and even staff housing. The systems are equipped with real-time remote monitoring technology to swiftly detect and address any performance issues, ensuring operational reliability.
Dr. Yaron Wolman, UNICEF’s Chief of Child Survival and Development in Uganda, hailed the initiative as a model for climate-smart healthcare. “With Uganda’s abundant sunlight, this project demonstrates the power of green energy to transform health service delivery,” he said. “But we must also prioritize maintenance and sustainability from the start.”
The World Health Organization also endorsed the initiative. Representing the WHO Country Office, Dr. Christine Musanhu underscored its life-saving impact. “This is not just infrastructure, it is about safeguarding lives, preserving vaccine potency, and allowing health workers to serve with consistency and confidence,” she said.
The HFSE project is expected to benefit over 3 million people, including approximately 670,000 children under five years of age. Beyond improving service delivery, the program represents a critical step toward strengthening Uganda’s primary healthcare system through sustainable, climate-resilient technologies.