Circularizing Livelihoods: Transforming Agricultural Residues to Electricity in Low-Income Peri-Urban Areas of Uganda

This paper addresses the missing link between the circular economyCircular economy and energy production from agricultural residues in central Uganda. Using wasted agricultural residues for decentralized electricityEnergyelectricity generation has the potential to sustainably address some of the biggest development challenges in the Global SouthGlobal south. To understand which residue types are wasted, the author surveyed smallholder farmersMasaka Districtsmallholder farmers in Masaka District, Uganda. Using the percent of each residue type wasted and the existing gasification technology, it was determined that the region’s energy potential represents 14% of the existing electricity capacity of Uganda. The results are interpreted within the agricultural and socioeconomic context of the studied area. Finally, recommendations are made for the realization of a circular economyCircular economy in Uganda and other African countries with similar patterns of resource generation and use.