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POWER AND DEVELOPMENT: CONTROVERSIES OVER THE BUJAGALI HYDROPOWER PROJECT ALONG THE NILE RIVER IN UGANDA.
(LINKÖPING UNNIVERSITY, 2007) Kilama Luwa Justine ,
Mega projects are in most cases considered as the necessary evil of development. Before their benefits can be reaped, a lot of sacrifices and tough choices have to be made. The fear and uncertainties surrounding such projects range from the impacts on the local people, on the environment, the costs of investment, and to, if the project will deliver the promised benefits. Because of these fears and uncertainties, it is not unusual that most if not all such projects meet a lot of critics and resistance before their success or failures are witnessed. Today, it is more of a requirement than a belief (although without a guarantee) that stakeholders’ involvement and their active participation in all decision-making process concerning a project is the surest way of minimizing conflicts and ensuring justice. The Bujagali hydropower project being an example of such projects and without immunity to the problems faced by other mega project around the world has been a case study for this thesis. This study has therefore focused on institutional arrangements that governed the management and utilization of water resources in connection to hydropower development along the Nile River in Uganda, the procedures and stages of the negotiations for hydropower infrastructure development in Uganda, identified the major stakeholders that take part in such negotiations and looked in detail for what their issues and interests are. It has also examined the attitudes and opinions of stakeholders on the potential and benefits of hydropower against (solar, bio-fuel and geothermal) energy sources in the context of Uganda, taking into consideration the need for socio-economic development, preservation of culture and environmental protection. Finally, it has analyzed the conflicts/controversies that have arisen in the Bujagali hydropower project.
IMPACT OF CLIMATE AND LAND USE LAND COVER CHANGE ON WATER QUALITY IN SIRONKO CATCHMENT, MT. ELGON
(Makerere University, 2023-02) Kilama Luwa Justine ,
Surface water quality underpins a range of livelihood means in Sironko catchment. This study
determined the impacts of climate and Land use Land Cover Change (LULCC) on water quality
in Sironko catchment. Field assessment of selected water quality from January to December
2018 followed standard procedures. Land use land cover change maps of Sironko catchment in
1986, 2000, 2016 and 2040 were developed by supervised classification. Baseline 1980-2009
and future climate scenarios 2025-2040 were downscaled by delta method. Stream flow, Total
Suspended Solids (TSS), Total Nitrogen (TN), and Total Phosphorus (TP) loads were simulated
using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). Mean values of selected water quality
parameters were compared with the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) guideline for
clean surface water quality. t-test was employed at p < 0.05 level to determine any significant
difference in water quality. Trends and trend magnitudes were determined using the Mann
Kendall trend test and Sen’s slope estimator. The contribution of climate and LULCs on stream
flow, TSS, TN, and TP were computed using a second powered matrix regression model. Results
show that agricultural lands; forests; and wetlands areas reduced by 8 %; 32 %; and 20 %,
respectively between 1986 and 2000. But between 2000 and 2016, forests and wetlands areas
increased by 84 % and 5 % while woodlands and agricultural lands decreased by 43 % and 13%
respectively. From 2016 to 2040, built-up areas are projected to increase by 74 %; agricultural
lands by 5 %; and grasslands by 2 %; while wetlands will decrease by 9 % and woodlands by 7
%. Less variability was detected in March, April and May (MAM) rainfall 20 < CV <30 while
SON showed high variability CV > 30. Annual rainfall will increase at p < 0.05 in Kumi and
Nakapiripirit stations between 2025 and 2040 while mean temperature showed increasing trends
at p < 0.05 between 1980 and 2009 and between 2025 and 2040. In terms of water quality
parameters, Fecal coliforms were above UNBS limit of drinking water quality while significant
seasonal differences were detected at p < 0.05 for pH, EC, TP, and DO. Whereas the impacts of
both climate and LULCC on River flow are both significant at p < 0.05 levels between 2025 to
2040, climate change is projected to increase River flow more than LLCC while the latter is
projected to increase TN more than climate change under both RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5. Local
communities should improve on their waste disposal mechanisms while they also adapt to and
mitigate the impacts of climate and land use change on water quality in Sironko catchment.
Banana plant wastes for biofuels: indicators from characterization for thermochemical conversion
(Taylor & Francis, 2026-03-19) Menya, Emmanuel; Wakatuntu, Joel; Turyasingura, Medard; Okot, Christopher; Storz, Henning; Kabenge, Isa; Kizito, Simon Savio; Komakech, Allan John; Olupot, Peter Wilberforce; Okello, Collins
The banana value chain in Uganda generates a wide range of waste biomass, yet its suitability for thermochemical conversion remains largely unstudied. This study aimed to characterise banana rhizome, pseudostem, peduncle and inflorescences from Mbwazirume and Mpologoma cultivars in Uganda for potential use in thermochemical conversion processes. These wastes were characterised for lignocellulosic, proximate, elemental, and mineral composition, and higher heating value (HHV). Moisture content ranged from 9 to 14wt%, volatile matter 74-82%db, fixed carbon 12–17%db, and ash content 3-13%db. Inflorescences exhibited the highest lignin content (15.23–17.23%daf) and HHV (14.55–15.85 MJkg−1) across cultivars, suggesting higher suitability for biochar production compared to its counterparts. However, inflorescencesexhibited the highest nitrogen content (2.47–2.56%daf), suggesting higher NOx emissions potential. Inflorescences, rhizomes and peduncle exhibited higher ash content (6–13%db) than pseudostem (3.35–3.85%db), suggesting increased risk of slagging and fouling of heat transfer surfaces. Predominant mineral elements were found to be K (15888–28363 ppm), Ca (2000–9000 ppm), Si (2000–9000 ppm), and Mg (1120–4928 ppm), which can have catalytic functions during thermal decomposition. The low fuel ratio (0.16–0.22) of the wastes suggested poor fuel properties. These properties could be enhanced through torrefaction, making the wastes more suitable as sustainable feedstocks for biofuel production.
Techno-economic assessment of municipal solid waste gasification for electricity generation: a case study of Kampala City, Uganda
(Agricultural Engineering International, 2015-12-29) Kivumbi, Bernard; Olwa, Joseph; Martin, Andrew; Menya, Emmanuel
This study was aimed at assessing the techno-economic potential of municipal solid waste (MSW) generated in Kampala City for electricity production through gasification. The quantity, characteristics and gasification parameters were
determined. In addition, the gasifier- engine system components were sized, and an economic analysis was conducted to obtain the net present value (NPV) and the payback period. This study found that 523 t/d of MSW is collected in Kampala City. The biomass component of MSW was found to be 459.5 t/d with moisture content of 71.09% on as-received basis. The physical characteristics of the gasified biomass included 11.8% moisture content, 88.2% total solids, 25.9% ash content and 57.7 kg/m3 bulk density. The resulting normalized producer gas constituted 11.64% H2, 13.70% CO, 16.09% CO2, 54.12% N2, 4.45% CH4 and lower heating value (LHV) of 4.75 MJ/Nm3. The design fuel flow rate of 0.23 kg/s, specific gasification rate (SGR) of 5089.29 kg h-1 m-2 and specific energy demand of 42.75 GJ m-2 h-1 were obtained. This yields net electrical power output of 425.17 kW with an overall efficiency of 15.6%. The net annual electricity generation from a single gasifier-engine system was found to be 2.97 GWh/a. The economic analysis for this system worth $887 333 of investment cost yielded a payback period of 6.57 years while the NPV at 6% interest rate was found to be nine years with a value of $316 47.
Characterization and alkaline pretreatment of rice husk varieties in Uganda for potential utilization as precursors in the production of activated carbon and other value-added products
(Elsevier, 2018-10-06) Menya, E.; Olupot, P.W.; Storzc, H.; Lubwama, M.; Kirosd, Y.
In this study, 13 rice husk (RH) varieties from 4 agro-ecological zones in Uganda were characterized, NaOH-pretreated, and evaluated for their potential utilization as precursors for production of bio-oil, ash, char, and activated carbon for selected applications. RH varieties were characterized through particle size analysis, bulk density, proximate and ultimate analyses, specific surface area, pore volume, as well as lignocellulosic and inorganic compositions. Selected RH varieties were subsequently pretreated at NaOH concentrations of 1–4%w/v, using pretreatment ratios of 5 g RH: 40 mL NaOH. Properties varied among RH varieties, suiting them as feedstocks for different applications. Upland rice husk varieties are more suited precursors for production of bio-oil, and activated carbon due to their relatively lower ash content, higher specific surface area, as well as higher volatile matter and fixed carbon contents. Upland rice husks could as well be employed in the preparation of electrodes for electrochemical devices, due to their relatively higher specific surface area. A high ash content (21–32% dry basis) of lowland rice husks presents good prospects for their calcination, since larger amounts of rice husk ash could be obtained, and employed in different applications. Lowland rice husk varieties could also be more suited precursors for production of char for soil amendment, due to their relatively higher ash content, which subsequently increases their char yields. However, alkaline pretreatment of rice husks using 2–4%w/v NaOH can reduce the ash content by as much as 74–93%, depending on the rice husk variety, which paves way for utilizing rice husks with a high ash content in different applications. Aside from ash reduction, the enhanced specific surface area (1.2–1.7 m2 g−1), volatile matter (68–79%db) and fixed carbon (19–24%db) contents of NaOH-pretreated rice husks suggests they are more suited feedstocks than when employed in their raw form, for production of bio-oil, as well as activated carbon.