Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), in partnership with the Energising Development (EnDev) programme and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD), successfully concluded the Demand-Side Subsidy (DSS) pilot, on June 10th, at Fairway Hotel in Kampala, marking an important milestone in expanding access to affordable clean energy for vulnerable households across Uganda.

Serving as Fund Manager and implementing partner, PSFU oversaw the delivery of clean energy technologies to 66,763 households across refugee-hosting districts and other vulnerable communities. The project combined targeted financial support with private sector participation, ensuring that quality-certified products remained affordable while sustaining commercial markets.

PSFU Chief Executive Officer Stephen Asiimwe described the project as a strong demonstration of how the private sector can contribute to national development priorities.

“The successful implementation of the Demand-Side Subsidy pilot reinforces the private sector’s central role in delivering sustainable development solutions. Through this initiative, PSFU has demonstrated that market-based interventions can effectively expand clean energy access while stimulating enterprise growth, creating jobs and strengthening last-mile distribution systems. The lessons from this project provide a strong foundation for scaling similar interventions across Uganda,” Asiimwe said.

The pilot supported the uptake of solar home systems, solar lanterns, improved cookstoves, electric pressure cookers and ethanol stoves through a transparent verification process using digital technology and independent third-party validation.

According to Un-Young Yong, Head of Project at EnDev, the initiative proves that carefully targeted subsidies can accelerate clean energy adoption while strengthening sustainable markets.

Francis Kajura, DSRBF Project Manager at PSFU, added that the intervention has delivered significant socio-economic benefits.

“The project has significantly improved household welfare by reducing dependence on traditional biomass fuels, improving health outcomes, enhancing safety, lowering household energy costs and encouraging cleaner cooking practices. It has also strengthened private sector investment in last-mile distribution, with 20 energy companies participating in the programme,” Kajura said.

The successful implementation provides a scalable model for future government and development partner interventions aimed at achieving universal energy access in Uganda.