Minister Nyamutoro, Equity bank push for green investment

What the report says

Uganda’s minister of State for Energy and Mineral Development, Phiona Nyamutoro, has urged the country’s hospitality sector to treat green energy upgrades as business investments rather than added costs. Speaking at the launch of the National Green Hospitality Initiative at Serena Hotel Kampala, she said the programme is intended to help hotels, lodges, resorts and conference facilities cut operating expenses, attract capital and improve competitiveness in tourism.

The initiative is being run by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development together with Equity Bank Uganda. According to The Observer, its planned activities include energy assessments for selected hospitality facilities, possible retrofits, development of Uganda Green Hotel Standards, a framework to remove investment barriers and a dedicated financing window for green projects. It also proposes Green Hospitality Awards to encourage measurable sustainability performance.

Nyamutoro said renewable energy measures such as solar power, storage, efficient equipment, clean cooking and electric mobility could improve reliability and free up savings for staff, facilities and expansion. Equity Bank’s Catherine Psomgen said the lender would support the transition through green loans, equipment financing, leasing and blended finance. The Uganda Hotel Owners Association welcomed the idea but said repayment terms must reflect the seasonal cash flow patterns of the industry.

The report places the programme within Uganda’s broader push for sustainable energy and tourism growth, including goals in the Fourth National Development Plan and the Energy Policy for Uganda 2023.