INTRODUCTION

The Uganda Vision 2040 and the National Development Plan III recognize energy as a critical driver of socio-economic transformation of the country. To achieve Sustainable Development Goal 7 which calls for countries to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all, the Government of Uganda has scaled up investments in affordable and reliable energy through expansion of rural electrification and promotion of the use of renewable energy sources/technologies such as solar, biogas and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

In March 2007, Cabinet of Uganda approved the Renewable Energy Policy. The goal of the policy was to increase the use of modern renewable energy, from the current 4 percent to 61 percent of the total energy consumption by the year 2017[1].  The transitioning from the use of fossil fuels to more clean and renewable energy sources is aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change, facilitating economic development and alleviation poverty.

Several initiatives/interventions aimed at enhancing participation of women in the green economy and improving access to clean and efficient energy sources been implemented. Renewable energy technologies such as solar lighting, energy efficient cooking stoves have significantly reduced the household burden on women and the girl child, and reduced gender inequalities through improvement in the quality of life of women, girls, and children. Adoption of such technologies reduces indoor pollution, time spent by women gathering firewood for cooking, improved household lighting in rural areas which in most cases are not connected to the national grid. For instance, only 19.4 percent of Female headed households are connected to the electricity grid compared to 18.5 percent of their male counterparts.

However, barriers such as perception of gender roles, cultural and social norms and prevailing hiring practices are a hinderance to full participation and inclusion of women in the renewable energy sector. While uptake and use of renewable energy technologies remain low. For instance, only 15 percent of the population used renewable energy in 2019 below the National Development Plan (NDP) III target of 20 percent in 2020[2]. The low uptake of renewable energy is partly attributed to the high cost of renewable energy technologies, limited awareness by the communities on the benefits of using renewable energy sources and limited financing for renewable energy research. The total cost of implementation of the Energy Policy, is estimated at USD 3.5 billion.[3] The private sector is envisaged to contribute 86 percent of these resources through direct investments in renewable energy while the Government of Uganda is expected to fund 14 percent of the financial requirements.

Despite these commitments, operationalization and financing of the Energy Policy is still a challenge. For instance, the budget allocations to the Department of Renewable Energy marginally increased from UGX 0.61 billion in FY 2019/20 to UGX 1.01 billion in FY 2021/22.[4]while International financial flows to support development of clean energy research and development, and renewable energy production, including in hybrid systems for Uganda reduced from USD 524.91 million in 2018 to USD 21.22 million in 2020.[5] This implies that failure to fully operationalize and adequately finance the Energy Policy, Uganda risks not achieving the SDG 7.1.2 and 7.2.1 by 2030.

• Statement of work

It’s against this background that CSBAG[6] seeks to assess the extent to which operationalising and financing of Uganda’s renewable energy is gender responsive renewable energy policies. Evidence generated from this assessment will be used to popularize and advocate for a pro-poor and gender responsive renewable energy policies and financing in Uganda.

• Specific TORs

The specific terms of reference for this assessment are.

1. Review and identify gaps in the institutional and Legal Policy framework for Renewable Energy in Uganda
2. Assess the gender and equity responsive renewable energy deficit and energy poverty concerns in Uganda
3. Assess the existing financing mechanisms and gaps for renewable energy in Uganda FY2019/20-2021/22
4. Identify existing constraints and opportunities increasing investment for sustainable renewable energy financing
5. Provide an overview of the emerging factors in relation to operationalization and financing of the renewable energy policy.
6. Make pro-poor and gender and equity responsive renewable energy policy recommendations.

• Outputs timeframe

It’s estimated that this assignment should be completed within 15 working days and not later than 9^th December 2022. The consultant will produce the following outputs by the stated deadline:

• An inception reports
• Draft report on an assessment of operationalization and financing of the Renewable Energy Policy in Uganda
• Detailed final report on an assessment of operationalization and financing of the Renewable Energy Policy in Uganda.

• Profile of the Consultant

The consultant should have the following competencies

• Excellent knowledge of PFM laws, policies, practices, and principles in Uganda
• Demonstrable understanding of the political economy and renewable energy
• Excellent knowledge of the accountability sector and policies in Uganda 
• Practical knowledge and experience with CSO programming and advocacy approaches
• Proven experience in public policy analysis
• An advanced degree in Economics or any public finance fields.

• Supervision and support 

The consultant will be reporting to the Executive Director, directly on this assignment but will have close working relationship with the Economists

• Submission of proposals for the tasks

CSBAG is inviting Proposals for implementation of all outputs and activities as specified in this Terms of Reference. Interested consultants/firms are requested to submit Technical and financial proposals:

1.       Only financial proposals quoted in UGX are permitted

2.       The technical proposal should contain

1. Description of the understanding of the tasks, including comments on the TORs
2. A brief critique or advice on, what the TOR ought to have included or considered, from your understanding of the task
3. A description of the methodology to be followed, to achieve the desired objectives 
4. Work plan and Time scheduling of information gathering and other activities; and
5. CVs of the consultants/firms 

Application Process.

Interested candidates should submit their application letter, updated CVs, technical and financial proposals and references for similar work conducted previously, addressed to the  Executive Director: Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group (CSBAG), email: hr@csbag.org P.O. Box 660, Ntinda Kampala, Uganda, Plot 11 Vubyabirenge Close Ntinda-stretcher road by 5:00pm on 14^th November 2022.  

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[1] Energy Policy 2007

[2] Sustainable Development Goals Progress Report 2021

[3] Ibid

[4][4] Approved Budget Estimates FY20219/20 and 2021/22

[5] international Renewable Energy Agency Report 2022

[6] is a coalition formed in 2004 to bring together CSOs at national and district levels to influence government decisions on resource mobilization and utilization for equitable and sustainable development