In rural Uganda, unreliable electricity has long forced mothers to give birth in unsafe and poorly lit conditions while limiting access to essential health services such as immunisation. A new solar electrification initiative is now changing that reality by bringing consistent power to health facilities, improving both maternal care and vaccine delivery.
At Nakifuma Health Centre III in Mukono District, the situation has dramatically improved following the installation of a 12-kilowatt solar power system in December 2025. Previously, the facility struggled with frequent power outages, which disrupted maternity services, laboratory operations, and vaccine storage. Health workers often had to rely on torches or phone lights during deliveries, while vaccines were stored at distant facilities to avoid temperature fluctuations.
The impact of reliable electricity is evident in stories like that of Esther Nalubega, who recently gave birth under stable lighting conditions at the facility. Unlike her previous experiences, where power outages forced her to leave soon after delivery, she was able to stay for three days for observation, feeling safe and comfortable in a well-lit environment.
Nakifuma Health Centre III serves around 120 deliveries each month and administers vaccinations to more than 300 children weekly. With the introduction of solar power, the facility has expanded its services, increasing immunisation sessions from twice a week to four times weekly. It has also become a supply hub, distributing vaccines to nearby smaller clinics.
The solarisation effort is part of the Health Facility Solar Electrification initiative led by Uganda’s Ministry of Health with support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF, and World Health Organization. The project aims to address one of the most persistent challenges in Uganda’s healthcare system—unreliable power supply—by equipping 250 rural health facilities with solar energy systems.
The initiative builds on earlier lessons that focusing solely on powering vaccine refrigerators was insufficient. According to Jimmy Ameny at Uganda’s Ministry of Health, ensuring safe childbirth alongside vaccine preservation became a priority after observing gaps in healthcare delivery. Solar systems now power entire facilities, including maternity wards, laboratories, outpatient departments, and staff housing, improving working conditions and helping retain healthcare workers in remote areas.
The need for such interventions is significant. Nearly half of Uganda’s health facilities lack reliable electricity, particularly in rural areas where primary care centres often depend on costly fuel-powered generators or have no power at all. This contributes to maternal and child health risks, including complications during childbirth and disruptions in vaccine storage. Despite high national immunisation coverage, disparities remain in remote districts due to these infrastructural challenges.
At Nakifuma and similar facilities, solar power is addressing these issues at their root. Health workers report uninterrupted electricity, enabling them to provide round-the-clock care without disruption. Midwives can now safely perform procedures that were previously difficult in low-light conditions, and essential equipment such as baby warmers and sterilisation tools function reliably.
Similar improvements have been observed at Acet Health Centre III in northern Uganda, where solar power has enabled 24-hour service delivery. The facility has seen a significant rise in maternal visits, with monthly deliveries increasing substantially. It has also expanded its role as a vaccine storage point for nearby centres facing ongoing electricity shortages.
Healthcare workers highlight that the benefits go beyond lighting. Solar power supports critical medical equipment, including oxygen concentrators for newborns, diagnostic tools, and vaccine refrigerators that maintain the required temperature range. Immunisation services have expanded to daily sessions, with no reported vaccine losses due to temperature fluctuations.
For many communities, the shift from darkness to reliable power is more than a convenience—it is life-saving. Health workers recall instances where lack of electricity forced patients to travel long distances, sometimes with tragic outcomes. Now, with consistent lighting and functioning equipment, more mothers are choosing to deliver at health facilities, improving both maternal and child health outcomes.
The initiative also reflects a broader regional effort, with similar solar electrification projects underway in countries such as Zambia, Ethiopia, and Pakistan. As implementation continues, the programme is expected to strengthen healthcare systems, enhance resilience, and ensure that even the most remote communities have access to safe and reliable medical services.
By addressing the critical link between energy access and healthcare delivery, Uganda’s solarisation project demonstrates how sustainable solutions can transform rural health systems, improve service quality, and ultimately save lives.
