When the Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF) launched the Justice Microgrid last year, its goal was ambitious. In partnership with BarefootLaw, SELF sought to harness solar energy to bring equity and justice to thousands of people in Uganda’s rural Kole District.  

Previously, insufficient grid electricity in Kole interfered with key government services and the operation of a new legal aid center. In response, SELF and local partners established the Justice Microgrid, a 14.25kW solar-electric system that powers a variety of municipal and legal services. SELF is proud to share an update on this project that has quickly transformed lives, all while fighting climate change with clean solar power. 

The Impact of the Law Box

The heart of the Justice Microgrid initiative is the “BarefootLaw Box,” a solar-powered legal aid hub that brings free legal services directly to those who need it most. As of April 2025, the Law Box has provided trusted guidance to 7,822 people, many of whom would otherwise have no access to legal counsel. 

From family disputes to criminal justice concerns, the Law Box is filling critical gaps. To date, the most common legal issues addressed have been: 

• Domestic law (42%) 

• Land rights (27%) 

• Criminal law (17%) 

But numbers alone don’t tell the full story. Behind each statistic is a person—a farmer navigating land challenges, a woman seeking protection from an abuser, a community member learning their rights for the very first time. 

The Law Box reaches diverse lives. Notably, 59% of users are women, underscoring how energy and justice can work together to support gender equity in rural areas. The majority of Law Box users are farmers, with an average age of 45. 

The Power of Solar

The Justice Microgrid ensures that the Law Box has the reliable energy it needs to stay connected, operational, and responsive. When the larger grid experiences outages—often lasting weeks at a time—the Law Box continues serving the people of Kole.  

The Justice Microgrid also powers the local courts, as well as the town council, public safety, and community development offices. The project has enabled these entities to better work together to support their constituents.  

SELF invites you to meet some of the people behind these numbers in our new short film, which shares stories from the ground and offers a firsthand look at how solar energy is helping to make justice accessible. 

SELF thanks our partners and the generous donors who have supported this project. It has already transformed thousands of lives, and it will continue to empower justice and equity in rural Uganda.