Pan African winner of Total Startupper Challenge 2024

Ethol Amanda Natukunda emerged as the Pan-African Winner of the Total Energies Startupper Challenge 2024, a prestigious competition recognizing groundbreaking entrepreneurs driving impactful change. Her visionary approach to clean cooking and renewable energy stood out among competitors across the continent, solidifying her position as a leading force in sustainable innovation. This achievement highlights her commitment to tackling cooking energy poverty, promoting biogas adoption, and advancing climate action—reinforcing her influence in shaping Africa’s transition to clean energy solutions. 

https://startupper.totalenergies.com/en

WOMAN IN ENGINEERING 2025

Ethol Amanda Natukunda was profiled by the Uganda Institute of Professional Engineers as a Woman in Engineering 2025, celebrating her groundbreaking contributions to sustainable energy and engineering innovation. She was also recognized among the pioneering innovators packaging biogas into cylinders, revolutionizing clean cooking accessibility and advancing renewable energy solutions. This dual recognition solidifies her influence in engineering, entrepreneurship, and climate action, positioning her as a leading advocate for clean energy adoption and environmental sustainability across Africa.

Follow this link to learn more https://www.linkedin.com/posts/uganda-institution-of-professional-engineers-official_uganda-uipeupdates-breakingnews-ugcPost-7306228200420925441-CxQH?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android&rcm=ACoAADrbET8BawpLRi01TFVojwSe0ZAXF4HvLhQ

INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION 

Amanda's pioneering work in clean cooking and renewable energy gained international recognition when it was featured by European news. This spotlight underscores her impact as a visionary leader, driving systemic change through biogas innovation, advocacy, and environmental restoration. Her global acknowledgment further solidifies her influence in shaping Africa’s transition to sustainable energy solutions and climate action.

Follow this link to know more https://www.euronews.com/culture/2025/04/28/watch-the-ugandan-innovator-turning-weeds-into-clean-energy

Against Energy Poverty:

 "Innovator Turns Water weed Into Energy to Relieve Women From Dirty Cooking "

In Uganda, about 90% of the population rely on biomass which includes firewood and charcoal as the primary source of fuel. Biomass dependency is causing significant pressure on the country’s forest cover. According to independent researchers, the country is now facing a projected future wood biomass deficit of over 100 million tonnes annually. Datasets at the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) show that Uganda has experienced significant forest loss equivalent to 1.1 million hectares in the last ten years. A significant volume of the loss is attributed to domestic energy. Much of the population is energy-poor. There is still a lack of affordable, accessible alternative cooking solutions. Most households especially in urban areas rely on charcoal as the sole means of energy. According to research by The Petroleum Authority of Uganda in 2023, 89% of the country’s population  relies on biomass as their primary source of fuel. The unclean energy is further  exposing particularly girls and women (whom cooking is a household domain), to respiratory infections especially in developing countries like Uganda.

Follow this link to read more, https://solutionsnow.africa/2025/03/21/innovator-turns-waterweed-into-energy-to-relieve-women-from-dirty-cooking/

BEVISIONEERS

 "Meet the changemakers driving planet-positive innovation worldwide. From local initiatives to global impact, these Fellows are reimagining what a sustainable future can look like."

BeVisioneers is a global program for young environmental innovators and independently implemented by a non-profit organization. Failing energy grids in Johannesburg. Climate refugees in Kerala. Dying coral reefs off the coast of Denmark. The list of challenges in many Fellows' local communities is long.