Minister Sebugwawo Unveils Solar M7 in Kampala

The Minister of State for ICT, Hon. Joyce Nabbosa, has officially launched Solar M7, a mobile and affordable solar kit designed to bring clean energy and digital inclusion to rural households in Uganda.

Speaking during a media-only briefing, Hon. Nabbosa explained that the initiative is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to ensure no Ugandan is left behind in the digital era.

She stated that access to electricity remains one of the biggest challenges in remote areas, especially for women, children, and the elderly, who often live without safe lighting or a way to charge essential devices. She said Solar M7 was developed as a direct response to this challenge offering a compact, easy-to-use solar home system that anyone can operate without technical assistance.

The kit is designed for mobility, affordability, and reliability, and is especially suited for off-grid communities. Hon. Nabbosa emphasized that the launch marks the beginning of a broader campaign to promote digital inclusion and social equity through energy access. She revealed that as part of the first phase, over 1,000 Solar M7 kits will be distributed free of charge to women in rural areas. She described these women as “the light of their communities” and said they deserve to live and serve with dignity, safety, and access to opportunity. The Minister noted that energy access is not only a basic need but a foundation for health, education, and economic empowerment.

The Solar M7 campaign is aligned with the Uganda National Electrification Plan and directly supports the President’s agenda of ensuring universal access to electricity as a key driver of development.

Hon. Nabbosa called on development partners, donors, and the private sector to support the initiative so that, together, we can ensure no home remains in darkness, no child misses out on education due to lack of light, and no mother gives birth in unsafe conditions. With Solar M7, she said, the government is not only delivering energy but also delivering hope, dignity, and opportunity to every corner of Uganda.

Innocent Kwooya and Henry Lutwama co-founded Solar M7.

According to Lutwama, the idea of Solar M7 came up during a countrywide drive to equip schools and learners with computers.

“We noticed that communities where we were distributing these computers had no electricity. So, even if they were learning something at school, it becomes difficult to revise when they return home. That’s why we came up with this idea to support learners in rural areas.

Lutwama says that the solar unit comes with a panel, 4 bulbs, and a battery capable of charging phones, among others.