PSFU Conducts Impact Assessment Field Visits Under LNOB RBF Project
PSFU Conducts Impact Assessment Field Visits Under LNOB RBF Project
The Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), in partnership with GIZ EnDev, from Thursday 22nd, January to Sunday 25th January, conducted field visits across the Bugisu and Sebei sub-regions as part of the impact assessment for the Leave No One Behind Results-Based Financing (LNOB RBF) Project, which is nearing its closure.
The visits covered the districts of Namisindwa, Bukwo, Kween, Kapchorwa, Bulambuli and Bududa, focusing on last-mile communities that benefited from subsidised solar energy solutions delivered through the project. To effectively execute the project, PSFU was joined by several participating private sector energy companies, including Ignite Energy Access (ENGIE), d.light Uganda, LUK Solar, Solar First, Papillon Living and Access to Solar.
Led by PSFU CEO, Mr. Stephen Asiimwe, and the Project Manager, LNOB RBF – Apollo Muyanja Mbazzira, the assessment visits aimed to interface directly with beneficiaries to document their experiences, capture lessons learnt, and assess the project’s overall social and economic impact in hard-to-reach communities.
Speaking during the engagements, Asiimwe noted that the LNOB RBF Project was designed to demonstrate that access to clean and affordable energy can be a catalyst for inclusive development.
“What we are seeing in these communities confirms that when energy reaches the last mile, it transforms lives. Children can study at night, households are safer, and families are able to improve their livelihoods. This project shows that no community is too remote to benefit from sustainable energy solutions,” Asiimwe said.
Beneficiaries shared powerful testimonies on how access to solar energy - acquired through a subsidised upfront cost and an affordable daily payment of UGX 1,000 - has significantly improved their quality of life.
One such beneficiary, Ms. Nanyama Eunice from Kaboyi Village in Namisindwa District, described the change as life-altering.
“Before solar, my children could not read at night, and we depended on candles which were risky and expensive. Now, my home has light every evening, my children study without fear, and I no longer worry about fires. Even our security has improved because our house is no longer in darkness,” she said.
Across the visited communities, education emerged as one of the most visible benefits, with households reporting improved study habits and performance among school-going children. The PSFU team also noted enhanced household security at night and a significant reduction in fire-related accidents previously caused using candles and paraffin lamps.
Beyond lighting, Mr. Asiimwe encouraged beneficiaries to tap into the wider productive potential of solar energy.
“Solar energy can do much more for these communities. It can be used for solar drying of produce such as grains and cassava, for cooking, and for other income-generating activities that strengthen household incomes and resilience,” he added.
As the LNOB RBF Project draws to a close, PSFU reported strong performance against its targets. In partnership with the participating private energy companies, the project has registered sales of 8,407 solar home kits, translating into a 95 percent achievement against the target of 8,850 units.
