Factors associated with access to renewable energy in Northern Uganda: a cross-sectional community-based study

Background Access to sustainable and clean energy remains a major challenge in sub-Saharan Africa, where energy poverty contributes to environmental degradation and constrains socioeconomic development. In Uganda, especially Northern Uganda, many households still depend on firewood and charcoal. This study determined the prevalence of household access to renewable energy and identified its independent predictors in Northern Uganda. Methods This was a community-based cross-sectional study among 634 households in Lira and Gulu Districts between April and May 2024. Households were selected using multistage cluster sampling, and data were collected using a researcher-administered questionnaire. Access to renewable energy was defined as household use of at least one renewable source, including electricity, solar, wind, or biogas. Data were analysed using multilevel logistic regression with a random intercept for cluster and cluster-robust standard errors. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported. Results Overall, 70.5% (447/634) of households had access to at least one renewable energy source. Electricity (68.0%) and solar energy (47.9%) were the most common, while wind (0.5%) and biogas (2.7%) were rare. In a sensitivity analysis excluding grid electricity from the outcome, the prevalence was lower, but the main predictors were broadly similar. Access was higher among households with primary education (AOR = 3.46, 95% CI: 1.95–6.16) and in households reporting no energy barriers (AOR = 4.64, 95% CI: 2.24–9.62). Access was lower among respondents aged 60 + years (AOR = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.10–0.58), households lacking local renewable energy service availability (AOR = 0.16, 95% CI: 0.07–0.36), those unable to access all energy options locally (AOR = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.14–0.97), those without renewable energy training (AOR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.19–0.45), and those living far from energy sources (AOR = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.07–0.66). The adjusted intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.444, indicating substantial between-cluster variation. Conclusion Renewable energy access in Northern Uganda remains shaped by educational, structural, and service-related factors. Expanding local service availability, strengthening training and awareness, reducing barriers, and improving proximity to renewable energy services may accelerate equitable household access.