Project Overview

The SolarMCH Project is a three-year initiative (2026–2028) implemented by Rural Smiles Foundation with support from the URBIS Foundation (Germany). The project focuses on strengthening maternal healthcare services in rural Kibaale District by providing reliable solar energy solutions and building local technical capacity for long-term sustainability.

By addressing energy gaps in rural health facilities, the project contributes to safer childbirth conditions, improved vaccine storage, and more resilient healthcare systems.

Background and Rationale

Many rural health centres in Kibaale District experience unreliable electricity, affecting maternal healthcare delivery, vaccine cold-chain systems, and emergency response capacity. Power interruptions can compromise safe deliveries, especially at night, and increase operational costs through reliance on diesel generators.

The SolarMCH project was developed in close consultation with district leadership and health facility teams to address these challenges through sustainable renewable energy solutions combined with technical training.

Project Goal

To strengthen maternal and neonatal healthcare services in rural Kibaale District through reliable solar energy systems and sustainable local capacity building.

Key Objectives

• Install standardized solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in four rural maternity health centres:

  • Mugarama Health Centre III

  • Bubango Health Centre II

  • Nyamarwa Health Centre II

  • Kyebando Health Centre III

• Improve vaccine storage capacity through solar direct-drive refrigerators

• Build local technical expertise through solar maintenance training

• Reduce reliance on diesel generators and unreliable grid electricity

• Promote sustainable energy adoption in rural healthcare systems

Project Components

1. Solar Infrastructure Installation

The project will install high-quality solar PV systems designed to support maternity ward operations, lighting, medical equipment, and vaccine refrigeration.

Key features include:

• Solar PV panels with battery storage

• Certified inverters and charge controllers

• Remote monitoring systems for performance tracking

• Solar direct-drive vaccine refrigerators

2. Capacity Building and Training

A strong sustainability component includes:

• Training three Trainers of Trainers (ToT) in solar photovoltaic installation and maintenance

• Training 20 health facility staff in basic system operation and troubleshooting

• Development of local maintenance capacity

• Ongoing refresher training support

This ensures that technical knowledge remains within the community.

3. Community and Stakeholder Engagement

The project emphasizes partnership with:

• Kibaale District Local Government

• District Health Office (DHO)

• Health facility leadership

• Community stakeholders

Regular engagement helps foster ownership, accountability, and sustainability.

Expected Impact

Healthcare Outcomes

• Improved safety of maternal and neonatal services

• Reliable lighting for deliveries and emergencies

• Strengthened vaccine cold-chain systems

• Enhanced health facility operational efficiency

Environmental Outcomes

• Reduced diesel generator use

• Lower carbon emissions

• Increased renewable energy adoption

Institutional Outcomes

• Strengthened technical capacity within local health systems

• Improved sustainability of health infrastructure

• Enhanced collaboration between NGOs, government, and communities

Sustainability Strategy

Long-term sustainability is supported through:

• Technical training of local trainers and health workers

• Integration with district health planning structures

• Remote system monitoring

• Maintenance planning and spare parts access

• Continued partnership with local authorities

Budget Overview

Total Project Budget: €35,384.29
(Approximately UGX 149,427,856)

Budget Allocation:

• 60% – Solar infrastructure investment

• 15% – Installation, maintenance, and training

• 20% – Operational implementation costs

• 5% – Project coordination support

The budget prioritizes infrastructure and sustainability while keeping administrative costs minimal.

Partners and Support

Project Funder:
URBIS Foundation (Germany)

Implementing Organization:
Rural Smiles Foundation (Uganda)

Local Partners:
Kibaale District Local Government
District Health Office
Health facility teams
Community stakeholders

Project Timeline

2026 – Preparation and Capacity Building

• Technical training of Trainers of Trainers

• Procurement planning

• Stakeholder engagement

2027 – Installation Phase

• Solar system installation

• Equipment deployment

• Community sensitization

2028 – Monitoring and Sustainability

• System performance monitoring

• Refresher training

• Final evaluation and reporting

Why This Project Matters

Reliable energy is essential for safe maternal healthcare. By combining renewable energy infrastructure with local technical capacity building, the SolarMCH project strengthens rural health systems while promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility.

This initiative reflects the shared commitment of partners, district leadership, and communities to improving healthcare access and resilience in rural Uganda.