Africa's Energy Problems

The power failures in Uganda and in many African countries is not a new phenomenon. It is a common thing to find people even in churches thanking God because they had sustained only two power disruptions in the previous week. This eloquent testimonies, unlike in the developed world,  are one finds characteristic of people in Africa. They feel it is a favour to have what they must have.

Recently, generators have found their way to many verandas. It is the volumes of noise and air pollution that this big and small machines produce that is of great concern. Their contribution to climate change is not debatable. The question that lingers in many people's minds is: Why can't Africa think of investing in solar energy? The abundant sunshine can be a source of clean energy to propel a continent that is mindful of posterity forward. However, living in darkness due to erratic power supplies impacts on the way a student lives. The challenge of having to live with the noise generated by generators is undeniably immense.