Technical Capacity, Government Policy and Sustainability of Biogas Projects in Wakiso District.
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Date
2025-11-26
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Makerere University Business School
Abstract
This study examined the sustainability of biogas projects in Wakiso District, Uganda, with a focus on assessing the interplay between technical capacity and government policy as independent variables. This was premised on persistence of non-functional or partially operational biogas systems across Uganda despite continued promotion of renewable energy.
Using a cross-sectional design, data were collected from 280 biogas project owners selected through simple random sampling. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, and regression techniques.
The findings revealed that technical capacity, measured through operator expertise, maintenance skills, and managerial ability was strongly correlated with biogas project sustainability. This underscores the importance of household competencies in sustaining biogas projects. At the same time, government policy, particularly in the form of government subsidies, tax incentives and financial support, was found to be a significant predictor of project sustainability. The study highlighted gaps, including limited accessibility of government programs at grassroots level and weak alignment between policy design and community realities. These constraints partly explain why many biogas projects become unsustainable despite the presence of government policy.
Overall, the study concludes that the sustainability of biogas projects requires a holistic approach that integrates both micro-level technical capacities and macro-level policy support. Effective interventions must therefore prioritize user training, strengthen technical extension services, and design policies that are context-sensitive, accessible, and inclusive. The study recommends that government agencies, private sector actors, and development partners collaborate more closely to build synergies between technical training and institutional support mechanisms. These measures will enhance the sustainability of biogas as a renewable energy solution in Uganda.
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This is a master's thesis.
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Owukuhisa, N. (2025). Technical Capacity, Government Policy and Sustainability of Biogas Projects in Wakiso District. (Unpublished master’s dissertation). Makerere University Business School, Kampala, Uganda.