Multifunction Platforms: Energizing Rural Uganda

Summary

Multifunction Platforms (MFPs) are an effective piece of development infrastructure that positively impact the livelihood of rural communities by increasing energy access.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

The past three decades have brought significant distress to Soroti, Uganda through multiple rebel insurgencies, regional conflicts, and cattle raids. With political stability returning to the region, families have begun to leave internally displaced peoples camps to rebuild their farms. A major obstacle to development is limited access to affordable energy. MFPs can provide an effectual energy solution, increase income generation, and reduce repetitive manual labor for women and children.

How will this project solve this problem?

We have so far installed three MFP units in Soroti. MFPs are comprised of a diesel engine that is attached to various agroprocessing equipment. The project aims to monitor these MFPs to assess the effectiveness and impact in the community.

Potential Long Term Impact

The MFP pilot program would pioneer the way for new, innovative energy solutions in the region of Soroti, Uganda and eastern Africa at large. Ultimately, the MFP pilot project will be scaled-up for replication throughout the sub-region and Uganda.

Project Message

My hope is that the MFP will give birth to another income-generating activity, which will give birth to another income-generating activity, and so on. There is so much they can get from the MFP.
- Rita Ennu, Pilgrim Staff

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Word file (projdoc.doc).

Resources