Knowledge & Skills

According to UBOS (2014) population census, over 75% of people in rural areas in Eastern Uganda use paraffin/tadooba as energy sources for lighting. This form of lighting inefficient, polluting and unhealthy.

For populations in Eastern Uganda whom electricity and lighting at night is a distant reality, kerosene lamps and Tatoobas are the next best way for them to continue activities at night. However, these lamps provide little illumination and strain the eyes, while purchasing kerosene fuel takes up money that could be otherwise used in better ways, such as food or education for families. Smoke produced from burning the fuel is also harmful to respiratory systems. Poor lighting affects literacy and education. The light from the lamps is so poor that children can only see their schoolbooks if they are almost on top of the flame, directly inhaling even more of the toxic smoke. Proper lighting can enhance the development process by enabling people to be more productive after the sun goes down.