The adoption of clean cooking energy in Tanzania’s prison facilities has significantly improved operational efficiency, strengthened environmental conservation, and enhanced health and safety standards, according to the Officer-in-Charge of Bukoba Prison, Mr. Aloyce Kalihamwe.
Mr. Kalihamwe made the remarks during an official visit by experts from the Ministry of Energy, who were in Bukoba to assess the implementation of the Government directive requiring all institutions feeding more than 100 people to transition to clean cooking energy.
He explained that the use of clean cooking energy has eliminated the need for inmates to leave prison premises in search of unsafe energy sources such as firewood an activity that previously demanded substantial security arrangements and resources.
“Through clean cooking energy, we have not only protected the health of inmates and staff and preserved the environment, but we have also significantly reduced security risks and operational burdens. Inmates no longer go outside prison facilities to collect firewood,” Mr. Kalihamwe said.
He added that the time, manpower, and financial resources that were previously spent on escorting inmates and ensuring security during firewood collection have now been redirected toward productive and income-generating activities within prison facilities, thereby increasing overall institutional efficiency.
Mr. Kalihamwe further noted that the transition to clean cooking energy has led to a notable reduction in expenditure on firewood and eliminated delays and challenges associated with securing tree-cutting permits from the Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS).
Representing the Ministry of Energy, the Head of the Clean Cooking Energy Unit, Mr. Nolasco Mlay, commended the Tanzania Prison Service for fully complying with the Government directive on clean cooking energy use.
Mr. Mlay emphasized that the initiative aligns with the vision of the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, to safeguard public health and the environment through sustainable energy solutions.
He added that the Prison Service’s progress is a key contributor toward achieving the national target of 80 percent clean cooking energy adoption by the year 2034.
He encouraged prison authorities to diversify clean cooking energy sources to ensure reliability and efficiency, while urging the Tanzania Prison Service to continue serving as a model institution for other public and private establishments feeding more than 100 people nationwide.
Currently, all 129 prison facilities across the country have transitioned to clean cooking energy.
In a further demonstration of Government commitment, the Director of the Clean Cooking Energy Unit pledged to supply Bukoba Prison with three modern clean-energy cooking stoves as part of ongoing efforts to modernize public institutions and promote environmentally friendly infrastructure.
The Government continues to call upon all eligible institutions to adopt clean cooking energy in support of national development, environmental protection, and improved public health outcomes.