Clean, Efficient and Affordable Energy - The context

Use of firewood and charcoal in traditional cooking, is quite predominant in Uganda, unfortunately it is very harmful to health and the environment

Affordable and Clean energy in this context applies to energy systems (technologies, fuels and delivery systems) that are categorized as environmentally friendly, either by design and efficiency or extent to which they impact the environment, secondly, how the technology is availed to the final consumer, issues such as the initial cost of the technology, consumer education and aftersales support, among others, tend to drive up the cost, which in turn affects adoption, thus the need for awareness campaigns, reliable distribution channels, and innovative financing options, to make these technologies accessible and affordable.

How it applies to our context.

In our context, adopting clean, efficient and affordable energy alternatives especially for cooking, heating, lighting and powering machines, human, animal and environment health shall be enhanced due to the mitigation of the overall impacts.

The vast majority of Ugandans need energy for lighting, cooking and to power all sorts of machines. Various energy system already exist, though the modern ones are not easily accessible, either due to scarcity, the cost or consumer education issues which require some level of appreciation by the user. The factors have largely resulted in slow adoption of new technologies this the prevalence of the “dirty” or crude old technologies with their long time impact on society and the environment, this the case for much of the developing world.

SELLMARK being a Socio-Environmental conscious entity, seeks to always identify energy systems that make the best of environmental protection, promotes its adoption and works out mechanism of making them available, accessible and affordable to the majority. SELLMARK therefore works with policy makers, manufactures, distributes, resellers and financiers to promote moderns energy systems adoption.

Air pollution is increasingly becoming an issue of concern in Uganda, especially Kampala metropolitan area comprising of the three districts of Kampala, Wakiso and Mukono. The biggest contributors to the air pollution challenge are vehicles (trucks, cars and motorcycles), industries and traditional cooking methods.

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), one car produces pollution averaging 4.6 metric tons of CO2 per year, or about 404 grams of CO2 per mile, yet cars emit not just CO2, but also harmful pollutants like nitrogen oxides, fine particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10), and hydrocarbons, contributing to smog and health issues. So Kampala metropolitan with over 3 million vehicles, most of which are of older models, has a fair share of air pollution from vehicles alone. EV adoption may be a quick fix for now as other options, such as pollution mitigation technologies are explored.

The energy Social-Environmental matrix that guides our intervention

Energy system prevalently used	Socio-Environmental Challenges/ Limitations	Eco-friendly technologies that minimize Socio-Environmental impacts
Hydro Electricity  -        Lighting -        Cooking -        Heating -        Powering machines	a.      Costly b.     Unfordable for many c.      Lately unreliable d.     Inaccessible for many e.      Social-cultural disturbances and environment degradation, especially at setup	-        Energy saving bulbs -        Energy efficient machines -        Energy efficient cooking technologies, i.e. slow cookers, pressure cookers, induction cookers,  stoves, cook stoves
Solar -        Lighting -        Powering machines -        Solar irrigation	a.      Bigger units are unfordable b.     Mainly Limited to domestic use and mainly lighting c.      Still has efficiency issues	-        Innovative financing options -        User awareness creation -        Promotion of reliable brands to avoid duplicates -        Strengthening after sales support. -        Promoting powerful community level user solar systems.
Fossil Fuels (Petrol, Diesel, Paraffin, LPG, Oil) -        Powering engines -        Generating electricity -        Cooking -        Heating -        Lighting	-        Dirty -        Pollutes the environment -        Toxic -        Hazardous -        Inefficient and Costly	-        Modern fuel efficient engines -        Pollution mitigating accessories -        Combustion enhancing additives -        Efficient fossil fuels.
Bio mass (Charcoal, Firewood)	-        Detrimental to the environment -        Hazardous -        Dangerous -        Inefficient is therefore  costly in the long run	-        Energy efficient cook stoves -        Biomass fuel alternatives such as Ethanol, Biogas

In pursuance of the promotion of wide adoption of Affordable and Clean energy technologies in general, SELLMARK shall also focus on aspects that are prevalently in use such that by addressing one or two of these aspects, a substantial mitigation step shall have been taken.

SELLMARK promotes the adoption and use of all affordable, clean and efficient energies.

Sanitation and Hygiene - The context.

Sanitation is basically a public health practice of providing clean and safe conditions, such as safe disposal of human waste, wastewater, and solid waste (trash) to prevent disease transmission and provide a pleasant environment, hygiene on the other hand deals with the principles and practices of keeping one’s self and their surroundings clean, to avoid disease, and to provide pleasant living spaces and experiences.

Sanitation and Hygiene have far reaching impacts on the environment and communities warranting reasonable attention that should involve a multi stakeholder approach.

How it applies to our context.

In our context, a clean, sanitary and hygienic environment does not only prevent incidences of diseases, but also the overall health of humans, animals, and the environment, thus enhanced quality of life.

Poor disposal of waste is a very big challenge in much of Uganda. Road sides, road junctions and storm water drainage channels tend to be convenient places for waste disposal, resulting in devastating outcomes such as water stagnation, flooding and spreading of water borne diseases, among others

Sanitation and hygiene therefore go hand I hand and in this context it applies to personal, domestic and public cleanliness relating to proper handling and disposal of trash, rubbish, litter and garbage, etc., that harbor disease causing pathogens. This also enables us to have pleasant living spaces and experiences.

Effective waste disposal, access to clean and safe water (WASH) and proper nutrition, among others, are important aspects of sanitation and hygiene.

By adopting communally and locally feasible and acceptable practices, waste management shall be achieved. Practices such as proper waste disposal, access to adequate and clean water, and community education are key to driving behavior change for public health, economic development, and social equality. 

Safe disposal of human excreta to create a "sanitation barrier" that prevents contamination of the local environment, water sources, soil, and food are other key practices that can be encouraged.

 The appalling garbage disposal situation in much of the country is not only health hazard but also an environmental disaster. This situation largely arises from ignorance about proper garbage disposal and management, general poor community sanitation mentality and a near broken public garbage management system.

Road sides, road junctions, and water drainage channels,   are some of the areas of convenience where most garbage will be dropped. The bulk of the garbage is non-biodegradable plastic bags, used baby diapers, and food dregs with known devastating impacts on human and animal health; and the environment because such garbage often harbor disease causing vectors and pathogens and also block storm water drainage channels thus causing stagnant water and even floods in some causes.

Unfortunately, this is becoming the “new normal” in virtually all urban settings.

The issue of proper garbage management is therefore a community wide concern that should involve all concerned and affected publics.

Urban settings tend to have specific challenges relating to high population density land ownership issues, and accessibility, especially in the densely populated urban areas, making public waste management a challenge, on the other hand disaster-prone areas and emergency setting such as IDPs require specialized considerations such as raised latrines, emergency latrines, water harvesting, water purification, water trucking, and hygiene kits (soap and sanitary pads, etc.), among others. The involvement of affected communities is effective in identifying the appropriate sanitation and hygiene interventions, easing ownership and adoption of the interventions.

Furthermore, practices such as use of sanitary latrines, connecting to sewer systems where available, managing household solid waste properly, including sorting of waste, complying to use of designated waste collection points and waste bins, recycling, or safe incineration, and ensuring proper drainage to properly channel storm water that will prevent water stagnation that attract vectors such as mosquitoes. Blocked water channels cause water stagnation and floods which often result damage to roads and buildings.

Adopting rainwater harvest technologies will not only control storm water but also avail homesteads with clean, adequate and safe water.

Accessing piped water, protecting water sources, sinking wells, and boiling, filtering and treating water, among others, are also effective ways to guarantee water safety.

For hygiene practices, focus will mainly be on promoting specific behaviors such as;

• Hand washing with soap at critical times such as after using the toilet, before preparing and handling food, after handling a baby's faeces, after handling certain items, etc.

• Personal cleanliness, such as regular bathing and maintaining nail and facial hygiene.

• Food hygiene, including safe food handling and storage.

• Proper menstrual hygiene management, which requires access to clean materials and private, safe facilities. 

SELLMARK is aware that the success of sanitation and hygiene initiatives heavily depend on adapting them to the specific local context by emphasizing the following; 

• Behavior Change Adoption (BCA) - effective programs involve understanding and addressing local cultural beliefs, social norms, and existing practices. Community engagement strategies, such as interactive workshops, local campaigns, and involving community leaders or religious figures, are more successful than top-down approaches.

• Local Ownership - Initiatives thrive when communities lead the process, using local knowledge and available resources to develop sustainable solutions. This fosters a sense of ownership and ensures that facilities are used and maintained over time.

• Infrastructure - In disaster-prone areas, building climate-resilient infrastructure (e.g., elevated latrines, protected water sources) is essential to withstand shocks like floods or landslides.

• Vulnerable persons - Special attention is needed for vulnerable groups, including women, children, the elderly and people with disability.

• The Community-Led Total Sanitation Approach (CLTS), a strategy that mobilizes communities to identifying their own localized solutions rather than relying on external initiatives and subsidies.

• Environmental Cleanup - solid waste management (garbage collection) adopted as a critical localized sanitation task that mobilizes the entire local community to “clean up” to prevent pest breeding and water pollution. 

• Local Governance and leadership- local leadership support (political, cultural and religious) as “change agents” by especially creating awareness, providing mass education and enforcing ordinances, are effective in effecting the entrenchment of sanitation and hygiene initiatives, especially in areas of  waste disposal chains.

SELLMARK encourages dealing with Sanitation and Hygiene issues as multi-stakeholder concern, addressing it both at the individual and at the community level by promoting the adoption of behaviors and technologies that enhance individual, community and institutional sanitation and hygiene.

Food and Nutrition - The context.

Equitable and stable access to adequate, safe, and nutritious foods and beverages that meet dietary needs, promotes general community well-being, prevents and even treats disease, thus promoting the prosperity and posterity of communities.

The food and nutrition challenges is largely result of Climate Change, especially among the developing countries, severely impacting mainly low income persons, the vulnerable and marginalized communities and children in general. Food and beverages quality and quantity tend to be degraded by frequent weather events such as extreme temperatures, altered rainfall patterns and disastrous environmental events such as droughts, floods and landslides.

A local evening market with a variety of vegetables, fruits and tubers that can be locally grown in homesteads thus improving domestic food security due to food adequacy, food quality and financial frugality

 How it applies to our context.

In our context, food security refers to adequate and nutritious food that is well balanced to provide all the nutrients necessary for sustenance of life. Our interventions will largely dwell on awareness creation regarding nutrition and food security, on top of promoting and encouraging encouraging home gardens and farms for foods such as fruits, vegetables, root tubers, poultry and small ruminants, among others. 

Food security and nutrition are interconnected but distinct concepts; Food Security focuses on the availability, accessibility, affordability, stability, and utilization of food, on the other hand Nutrition focuses on dietary diversity, nutrient adequacy, food quality, and balanced consumption necessary for healthy growth and development. Effective interventions must therefore address both quantity (enough food) and quality (nutritious food).

A balanced diet requires appropriate intake of the following components:

·       Carbohydrates – Primary energy sources (e.g. cereals, roots, tubers)

·       Proteins – Essential for growth and repair (e.g. beef, pork, chicken, fish, eggs, milk, legumes)

·       Vitamins – Support immunity and body functions (e.g. fruits and vegetables)

·       Minerals – Support bone health and metabolic processes (e.g. salt, vegetables, legumes)

·       Fats and Oils – Energy and nutrient absorption (e.g. vegetable oils, animal fats)

·       Water – Essential for digestion, nutrient transport, and overall health

In many communities, diets are heavily skewed toward carbohydrates, with insufficient intake of proteins, vitamins, and minerals, largely due to cost, limited awareness, cultural habits, and seasonal availability.

Incidences of famine, starvation and malnutrition are still rampant in Uganda, Karamoja region in particular is regularly hit with drought and famine causing displacements we often see on the streets of cities such as Mbale, Jinja and Kampala. Also displacements from disaster prone areas of Elgon and Ruwenzori regions, and most urban wetlands often cause food insecurity and malnutrition mainly due to loss of food, loss of sources of income or access to adequate and nutritious food.

On the other hand, marginalized/ vulnerable persons and slum communities in particular, tend to be disproportionately food insecure and malnourished, especially due food unaffordability, limited access to good food and general ignorance about nutritional issues. Food security and malnutrition have profound Socio-Environmental impacts and is therefore a concern for the entire community. This will prevent illnesses that arise from malnutrition, especially among children, the elderly and the sick, as well improve general productivity due to elimination of hunger. Also vices such as food thefts, street begging, prostitution, and over exploitation of the environments, will be

Some of the known Socio-Environmental Challenges that affect food and nutrition include;

•          Climate-induced crop failures and livestock losses

•          Poor post-harvest handling and storage leading to food waste

•          Limited access to affordable protein-rich and micronutrient-dense foods

•          Weak market linkages between producers and consumers

•          Inadequate nutrition education and dietary diversity awareness

•          Environmental degradation affecting soil fertility, water availability, and biodiversity

These challenges contribute to malnutrition, stunting, anemia, obesity, and diet-related non-communicable diseases, especially among children, pregnant women, and the elderly.

Urban and peri-urban communities tend to face high food prices, limited access to fresh produce, and dependence on informal food systems, while rural communities face production risks, limited storage, and poor market access.

On the other hand, disaster-prone and emergency settings require rapid food assistance, nutrition-sensitive interventions, and resilient food systems to prevent hunger and malnutrition, meanwhile women, children, and the elderly require targeted nutrition support due to higher vulnerability.

These are specific are of intervention that requires support individual, community and institutional support.

To improve food and nutrition outcomes in the target group, SELLMARK shall engage the affected communities to jointly identifying food and nutrition challenges and leverage local knowledge, crops, and dietary practices, among others.

SELLMARK emphasizes the following:

• Integrated farming systems composed of various enterprises (crop–livestock integration)

• Improved post-harvest handling and storage technologies

• Domestic food production, preservation and storage practices.

• Community education on proper food preparation and adequate nutrition.

• Promotion of locally available, nutrient-dense foods

• Infant and young child feeding education

• School feeding and nutrition programs

By promoting environmentally responsible, socially inclusive, and economically viable food and nutrition solutions, SELLMARK contributes to healthier communities, improved livelihoods, long-term resilience and Socio-Environmental stability.