Practical implementation of renewable energy policy and guidelines for mainstreaming energy into district development plans: case study Lira District Local Government

Abstract

The study examined the implementation of renewable energy policy and guidelines in local government; the study used quantitative design as well as qualitative design to ascertain the aspects of policy and guideline implementation. The survey data was collected through standard questionnaires designed by the researcher on the process, intervention, monitoring, evaluation and communication of energy guidelines and reviews of district development plans and sub county/town council development plans and annual reports The study covered eight (8) departments, and nine (9) lower local governments that is nine sub counties, and the data was analyzed using SPSS to make meaning of data collected by running of averages, percentages with other statistics of importance. Statistics has been presented by use of tabulation with charts showing implementations levels. The study established that the policy requirement as per its guidelines is not fully being implemented and the guidelines application thinly visible on the ground. The planning process is not complete, the coordination structure dysfunctional, the intervention not being fully implemented, the outputs for energy are not captured in the budget system PBS with the exception of health and natural resources departments, the monitoring and evaluation systems has gaps and financing the policy/ guideline implantation faces an uphill task. The district has progressed on with all these gaps to have a skeletal implementation, the evidence of strong team of human resources with vast experience with half of them trained provides a brighter future if the central government can strengthen coordination, establish an independent energy sector in the district local government, established the line grant for both recurrent and development programs and other recommendations suggested in the study , will have a long way in meeting the energy needs at the local level , increase the use of clean energy and curb down the effect of global warming.