Abstract
This paper presents an analysis of household energy uses in an informal settlement
in Mubuga, Gitega, Burundi. At the time of the survey, the informal settlement was not
connected to the main electricity grid. A survey of 100 households was conducted and data
were collected through structured and open interviews. Of the interviewed households, 84
percent indicated that they used fuelwood as a primary energy source for cooking. About 94
percent used charcoal for commercial (barbecuing/grilling meat) purposes and 22 percent used
it for domestic cooking. For lighting, kerosene accounted for 55 percent followed by candles
(36%) and rechargeable lanterns (10%). Households in Mubuga used multiple fuels to meet
their basic energy needs. It is therefore recommended that intervention models that advocate
for the use of multiple fuels should be promoted in the area, as it allows households to choose
freely energy sources from a suite of options.