Decarbonizing school feeding in Karamoja, Uganda

Solution description

Karamoja, a semi-arid and pastoralist region in northeastern Uganda, is one of the least developed areas in the country. Despite its rich cultural heritage and potential resources, the sub-region faces severe challenges related to food and nutrition security, significantly affecting its socio-economic development. WFP is partnering with the Government to support the implementation of the school feeding programme in Karamoja providing a daily hot meal to 255,000 students in 320 primary schools in Karamoja (78% of schools in the region). WFP’s Home-Grown School Feeding model provides local, diverse and nutritious meals, while providing a market for smallholder farmers. 

More than 80% of WFP-assisted schools in the region are still cooking meals on traditional three stone ?res using ?rewood. Further, the ?rewood needed for school meals is often collected by children and parents (mostly women), a time consuming, ?nancial and physical burden for schools, with signi?cant environmental impacts.  

Our proposed solution leverages Sistema.bio’s patented prefabricated biodigesters to transform animal waste in schools into biogas for cooking and biofertilizer for agricultural use in school gardens. This innovative approach addresses both environmental and social challenges while promoting sustainable energy use in educational institutions. 

One of the key benefits of this solution is improved waste management. Karamoja has the highest number of cattle in Uganda with 2.4 million cows1. In Karamoja, unmanaged animal waste negatively impacts the environment, affecting hygiene and contributing to pollution. By installing biodigesters, we ensure that waste is turned into wealth, efficiently processed, reducing health risks and improving overall sanitation within schools and reducing cost of purchasing firewood. 

Firewood use leads to indoor air pollution, causing respiratory issues for students and school cooks. It also contributes to deforestation, accelerating environmental degradation. By replacing firewood with biogas, schools will experience improved air quality, better health outcomes, and a reduced carbon footprint. On average, our biogas systems mitigate approximately 4.5 metric tons of CO? emissions per year per system, significantly reducing schools’ reliance on unsustainable fuel sources. 

To accommodate the high energy demands of schools, we will install large-scale biogas systems, starting with the Sistema 40 model (40 cubic meters) or larger, depending on the school population. These digesters are designed to efficiently handle substantial amounts of organic waste, producing enough biogas to meet the daily cooking needs of large institutions.  

The bio-slurry produced as a byproduct serves as a powerful organic fertilizer. Schools can use this in their school gardens to enhance food production, improving nutrition while reducing the costs of purchasing synthetic fertilizers. A feasibility analysis conducted by Sistema Bio and WFP in July 2024 highlighted that targeted schools owned over 50 acres of land that can be used for production while they have high expenditures due to cost of firewood. In this regard, the biodigester solution tackles the issue of clean energy for cooking and land productivity.   

We seek to use this grant to scale the program to more schools in Northern Uganda. By expanding access to biogas technology, we aim to benefit schoolchildren, staff, and the surrounding community. The financial savings from reduced fuel and fertilizer expenses will enable schools to allocate resources to other essential needs, further improving the learning environment.  

Our biodigester systems are equipped with monitoring tools that allow for real-time tracking of gas production and usage. These digital monitoring systems will help optimize performance, ensuring long-term sustainability and efficient resource management. In addition, data collected will be used to advocate the relevant authorities and can inform a larger, government-led scale up of the initiative.     

This initiative also contributes to South-South and Triangular Cooperation by facilitating the exchange of knowledge and best practices. By replicating successful biogas adoption models from other regions, we aim to create a scalable solution that can be implemented in similar contexts across developing countries. 

To measure impact, we will track the reduction in firewood consumption, improved air quality, cost savings on fuel and fertilizers, increased agricultural productivity, and the amount of CO? mitigated. The monitoring system will provide data-driven insights to evaluate system performance and optimize operations. 

By integrating clean energy technology into schools, this project enhances education environments, promotes sustainability, and delivers long-term financial and health benefits to schools and their communities. 

Innovation alignment

Our solution stands out for its innovative integration of biogas technology in schools, addressing multiple environmental, health, and economic challenges simultaneously. Unlike traditional waste management and cooking fuel solutions, our patented prefabricated biodigesters provide a closed-loop system that efficiently converts animal waste into clean cooking energy and organic fertilizer, creating a sustainable and scalable model for schools. 

Key Novel Features and Uniqueness 

1. Scalable and Prefabricated Technology:
   Unlike conventional brick-built biodigesters, our prefabricated biodigesters are patented, high-quality, and modular, making them faster to install, more durable, and easier to scale. This enables rapid deployment across multiple schools without the need for complex on-site construction. 

1. Multi-Benefit Circular Solution: 

1. Improved Waste Management: Our digesters help process animal and food waste, significantly improving sanitation and hygiene within school environments. 

1. Clean Cooking Energy: Schools transition from firewood to biogas, reducing deforestation and indoor air pollution, which is a major cause of respiratory diseases among students and staff. 

1. Sustainable Agriculture: The bio-slurry byproduct enhances soil fertility, allowing schools to increase food production and reduce dependence on costly synthetic fertilizers. 

1. Real-Time Digital Monitoring:
   Our biodigesters are equipped with digital monitoring tools that provide real-time data on gas production and usage. This ensures operational efficiency, optimized biogas output, and long-term sustainability through data-driven decision-making. 

 

1. Large-Scale Energy Solution for Schools:
   While many biogas projects focus on small household systems or cattle farms, our Sistema 40 (40m³) and larger biodigesters are designed specifically for institutions. These large-scale systems can generate enough biogas to meet the high cooking demands of schools, ensuring a reliable and cost-effective clean energy supply. 

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 

Our project directly contributes to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): 

? SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy: Provides renewable biogas energy to replace firewood, ensuring clean and sustainable cooking solutions. 

? SDG 13 – Climate Action: Reduces GHG emissions, mitigates deforestation, and supports Uganda’s methane reduction targets. Each system mitigates approximately 4.5 metric tons of CO? per year. 

? SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being: Eliminates exposure to indoor air pollution from firewood and charcoal, improving respiratory health for students and staff. 

? SDG 4 – Quality Education: Reduces school operational costs, freeing up resources for educational improvements. Better nutrition from bio-slurry-enhanced agriculture leads to healthier students, improving attendance and learning outcomes. 

? SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production: Promotes a circular economy by turning waste into energy and fertilizer, minimizing environmental impact. 

? SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals: Encourages South-South and Triangular Cooperation, fostering knowledge exchange and scaling solutions across similar regions. 

Brokerage Support Required 

We seek UNOSSC’s support in: 

• Facilitating partnerships with Development Partners to mobilize further funding and scale the project. 

• Connecting with impact investors and carbon finance partners to expand biogas adoption. 

• Showcasing our project at global forums to attract funding and technical collaboration. 

By integrating innovative biodigester technology into schools, we promote sustainability, reduce carbon emissions, enhance health, and improve educational environments. With the right partnerships, this scalable solution can transform school energy use across Uganda and beyond. 

Solution impact

Our biogas initiative for schools in Northern Uganda delivers economic, social, and environmental benefits by reducing firewood dependence, improving health conditions, and supporting climate resilience. 

Economic Impact 

• The project will generate economic benefits through cost savings, job creation, and revenue generation. 

• With an investment of USD 59,507, the project will support 10 schools, each reducing fuel cost savings by 60-70%. These savings allow schools to redirect funds toward educational resources, improving overall learning conditions. Additionally, the use of bio slurry will reduce school garden agricultural input costs by 30-40%, further enhancing the yield and financial sustainability of school gardens. 

• Beyond direct cost savings, the initiative will create employment opportunities in biogas system installation, maintenance, and user training. Schools can also generate additional income by selling surplus bioslurry, strengthening local economic activity. 

• With projected savings and revenue generation, the estimated return on investment (ROI) stands at 50%, with a payback period of approximately 1 year. 

Measured by: Financial tracking, job creation data, and revenue from biofertilizer sales. 

Social Impact 

• Health Benefits: Biogas eliminates smoke, reducing respiratory diseases by up to 50%. 

• Improved Learning: Eliminates firewood collection, saving staff and students’ time for better education. 

• Empowering Girls: Reduces the burden of firewood collection, increasing school attendance for girls. 

Measured by: Health surveys, attendance records, and staff productivity tracking. 

Environmental Impact 

• Deforestation Prevention: Each system saves 20-30 tons of firewood annually. 

• CO? Emission Reduction: Each school mitigates 4.5 metric tons of CO? per year. 

• Waste Management: Animal waste is processed into clean energy, improving sanitation. 

 Measured by: Firewood reduction tracking, carbon credit verification, and waste assessments. 

Monitoring and Evaluation 

We will use digital biogas monitoring tools, financial records, health surveys, and carbon tracking to ensure long-term impact and scalability. 

By integrating economic, social, and environmental benefits, this project enhances education, promotes sustainability, and delivers lasting value to schools and communities. 

Replicability / scalability

Our biogas solution for schools in Northern Uganda is highly scalable and replicable due to its modular design, proven technology, and adaptable implementation model. 

Scalability Potential 

• Flexible System Sizes: Our biodigesters range from 40m³ and above, allowing schools of different sizes to adopt the technology. 

• Local Availability: Prefabricated, patented digesters from Sistema.bio’s global supply chain ensure quick deployment. 

• Funding Models: Schools can adopt biogas through grants, carbon financing, or public-private partnerships, making expansion feasible. 

 Path to Scale: We aim to expand to more schools across Uganda, leveraging partnerships with NGOs, government agencies, and donors. 

Replicability Potential 

• Proven Success: Sistema.bio has installed 130,000+ biodigesters globally, demonstrating adaptability across different regions. 

• South-South Knowledge Exchange: This project builds on best practices from Kenya, India, and Latin America, ensuring knowledge transfer. 

• Low Maintenance & Training: Simple operation and training programs empower local schools to manage the system independently. 

Future Expansion: The model can be replicated across Uganda, East Africa and other developing regions with similar energy and waste challenges. 

By combining scalable technology, adaptable financing, and knowledge-sharing, this initiative can be expanded regionally and globally, ensuring sustainable impact at scale. 

Cooperation potential

Sistema.bio was founded in 2010 in Central Mexico. After 14 years of operations, Sistema.bio is now working with in 31 countries around to deliver high-quality carbon mitigation, sequestration, and climate change adaptation programs through our biodigesters. With operations across three continents in the Global South, Sistema.bio has positively transformed the lives of over 100,000 farms and more than 600,000 people worldwide, while reducing over 1 million tons of CO2e emissions annually. 

Our biogas initiative for schools in Northern Uganda (Karamoja Sub-region) embodies South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) by facilitating knowledge sharing, technology transfer, and regional collaboration among countries in the Global South.  

The project aligns with key SSTC principles by building on proven biogas adoption models from Latin America, Asia, and Africa, adapting best practices to local contexts, and fostering cross-regional partnerships to scale impact. 

By introducing Sistema.bio’s patented prefabricated biodigesters, we provide schools with sustainable waste management, clean cooking solutions, and organic fertilizer production, tackling energy access, environmental sustainability, and food security—challenges common across many developing countries. This initiative has the potential to be replicated across regions facing similar constraints, thereby reinforcing South-South learning and collaboration. 

Promoting South-South and Triangular Cooperation in Key Thematic Areas 

1. Technology Transfer and Knowledge Exchange 

Our solution capitalizes on lessons learned from successful biogas programs in Latin America, India, and East Africa, adapting these models to Uganda’s institutional energy needs. The Sistema.bio India factory, the largest biogas factory in the world, serves as a hub for manufacturing high-quality prefabricated digesters, which are then supplied to African markets, including Uganda. 

• India-Uganda Knowledge Transfer: 

• Uganda benefits from India’s extensive experience in biogas production, appliance innovations, and digital monitoring systems, ensuring an efficient and adaptable biogas solution. 

• The project adapts learnings from India’s large-scale school biogas programs, ensuring a context-specific approach in Uganda. 

• Latin America-Africa Exchange: 

• Sistema.bio’s experience in Mexico, Colombia, and Kenya has demonstrated how biogas solutions can enhance agricultural productivity and energy access. 

• Through South-South learning platforms, stakeholders from Uganda can engage with counterparts in these regions, facilitating continuous technical improvement and operational scaling. 

2. Regional Replication and Scaling Across Africa 

This initiative responds to the urgent need for scalable, decentralized energy solutions in educational institutions across Africa. Many schools in Uganda, as well as in Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Rwanda, rely on firewood and charcoal, leading to high fuel costs, deforestation, and indoor air pollution. 

• By proving large-scale institutional biodigesters in Ugandan schools, we establish a scalable model that can be replicated across East and West Africa, creating a regional blueprint for clean energy adoption. 

• The project will engage with East African Community (EAC) forums to facilitate regional cooperation on biogas adoption in schools, promoting policy alignment and funding mobilization. 

3. Supporting Sustainable Agriculture through Biofertilizer Exchange 

• The bio-slurry fertilizer produced by our biodigesters supports sustainable farming practices, reducing schools’ reliance on chemical fertilizers and improving soil health and food security. 

• Through cross-border farmer exchange programs, institutions in Uganda can learn from best practices in Kenya and Latin America, where biogas adoption has significantly enhanced agricultural productivity and farm profitability. 

• Collaboration with African agricultural research institutes will ensure that data on biofertilizer efficiency is collected and disseminated to inform regional agroecology strategies. 

Addressing Specific South-South Cooperation Needs in the Region 

This solution is tailored to regional cooperation priorities, ensuring its relevance and scalability within the Global South: 

Energy Access & Clean Cooking (Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Nigeria) 

• Biogas technology meets the growing demand for clean institutional cooking solutions, reducing dependence on firewood and charcoal. 

• Shared learnings from Kenya’s successful school biogas programs will help accelerate Uganda’s adoption strategy. 

Climate Resilience & Deforestation Mitigation (Uganda, Ghana, Brazil, India, Indonesia) 

• The initiative aligns with global and regional reforestation efforts, reducing firewood consumption in schools and mitigating carbon emissions. 

• Uganda can benefit from Brazil’s and India’s policies on integrating biogas in climate action plans, fostering cross-regional sustainability collaboration. 

Waste-to-Energy Innovations (India, Mexico, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Ethiopia) 

• By adopting proven waste-to-energy models from Latin America and Asia, Uganda strengthens its institutional capacity to manage organic waste efficiently. 

• South-South knowledge sharing with Mexico and India will enhance the technical optimization of biogas systems. 

Triangular Cooperation: Engaging Global Partners for Expansion 

While rooted in South-South collaboration, this project also seeks Triangular Cooperation with international development partners, donors, and multilateral organizations to: 

• Leverage financing and technical expertise for scaling up biogas solutions in schools. 

• Mobilize UNOSSC, FAO, and UNEP’s support to integrate biogas into broader climate and energy policies. 

• Engage with carbon finance initiatives to ensure the long-term economic sustainability of biodigester adoption. 

Conclusion: A Scalable and Transferable South-South Energy Model 

This initiative goes beyond simply introducing biogas in schools—it creates a replicable model that can be scaled across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, fostering long-term South-South cooperation. By integrating knowledge transfer, regional adaptation, and policy alignment, the project will catalyze sustainable development, reducing schools’ reliance on firewood, improving health, and enhancing agricultural productivity. 

With the support of UNOSSC and regional partners, we can amplify impact, refine policy frameworks, and accelerate the transition to clean energy in schools, reinforcing South-South cooperation as a driving force for sustainable development. 

Territory coverage

This project will be implemented in the Karamoja region, a semi-arid area in northeastern Uganda, known for its predominantly pastoralist communities and increasing environmental challenges. The initiative builds on an existing partnership between WFP and Sistema Bio, which has successfully introduced biogas as a clean cooking solution in schools supported by the Homegrown School Feeding Program. By scaling up this collaboration, the project will not only enhance access to cleaner energy but also maximize the use of biogas slurry as organic fertilizer in school gardens, strengthening the link between sustainable agriculture and students’ nutrition. 

Karamoja region was chosen due to its heavy reliance on firewood for cooking, which contributes to deforestation and environmental degradation. The pastoral nature of the community presents an abundant supply of cow dung, ensuring a steady and cost-effective feedstock for biogas production. Additionally, initial engagements have shown strong community acceptance, as biogas technology aligns with local practices and offers a practical alternative to firewood. 

In the first phase, the project will prioritize schools with large student populations and high firewood consumption to maximize impact.  

Collaborators

Sistema Bio 

1. Michael Malaba Wakoli – As the project lead, Michael brings over 17 years of expertise in energy operations, asset design, build, and management, with a focus on the oil, gas, and renewable energy sectors. His recent experience in regenerative farming ensures a holistic approach to energy and agriculture. 

1. Adams Amenya – With over 23 years of experience in FMCG and renewable energy industries across Africa, Adams brings deep knowledge in business development and strategic planning, ensuring the project’s market viability and growth. 

1. Karanja Kangi Murage – An experienced sustainability professional, Karanja has extensive global expertise in anaerobic digestion, biogas projects, and sustainable technology solutions. He will lead the project’s technical design and stakeholder collaboration efforts to ensure alignment with sustainability goals. 

WFP 

Badre Bahaji is WFP Uganda’s Innovation Advisor. A native of Morocco, he played a pivotal role in driving market-based solutions to support WFP’s operation in Uganda, focusing on unlocking investment opportunities that reduce dependence on humanitarian aid while scaling sustainable, locally-driven solutions. He has successfully facilitated partnerships between WFP and private sector innovators, fostering commercially viable solutions that address critical challenges in food production, climate resilience, and nutrition. Notably, He supported the Ignite Food Systems Challenge, securing $600,000 in funding for 12 SMEs, and spearheaded collaborations such as the $1.2 million SOLAR Project, which introduced solar irrigation for 5,000 refugees and host communities in West Nile. His efforts have also contributed to decarbonizing school feeding programs and leveraging impact monitoring tools to enhance climate action. Lastly, he has successfully mobilized funding for school feeding from private sector foundations, including Novo Nordisk Foundation ($15 million).