Herbert Murungi
Research Associate | PhD Student
Herbert Murungi is a Research Associate in the Economic Geography Research Group (AG Klagge) at the Department of Geography, University of Bonn. He joined the group in April 2026 as part of project C02 "Energy Futures" within the Collaborative Research Center "Future Rural Africa" (CRC 228), funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG).
His research focuses on the direct use of geothermal energy and green industrialization in Kenya and neighboring East African countries, specifically Uganda and Tanzania. Specifically, Herbert investigates the visions of different actors, institutions, and governance dynamics shaping geothermal development and its role in driving industrial transformation in the East African region.
Research Interests
- Green industrialization
- Energy governance and policy
- Energy transitions
- Energy markets and regulations
- Energy technology
Herbert Murungi
0.003 (123)
Meckenheimer Allee 166
53115 Bonn
Personal Information
Before joining the University of Bonn, Herbert worked as Project Coordinator and Research Assistant at Makerere University Business School under the Green Energy for Women and Youth Resilience in East Africa Programme funded by International Development Research Centre (IDRC). He previously held positions at USAID Uganda (under GUIDE Fellowship), ActionAid International (consultancy role), and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) as a project intern. Herbert has extensive experience in mixed-methods field research and development programming, with deep knowledge and understanding of Sub-Saharan Africa’s energy landscape.
M.A. Energy Economics and Governance, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda (2021–2023)
B.A. Economics, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda (2015–2018)
Projects
Duration:
2026-2029
Project Lead:
Prof. Dr. Britta Klagge, Prof. Dr. Clemens Greiner
Funding:
Publications and Academic Presentations
- Murungi, H., Kiiza, N., Nkurunziza, G., Ssennono, V. F., & Aarakit, S. M. (2025). Why is there low grid electricity access in rural Uganda? Evidence from the Uganda National Household Survey. Energy Policy, vol. 203, 114652. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2025.114652
- Ntayi, J. M., Aarakit, S. M., Murungi, H., Byangwa, K., Nkurunziza, G., & Nassali, J. (2026). Geospatial electrification pathways for Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review of planning tools, implementation strategies, and socio-economic impacts. Energy Research & Social Science, vol. 132, 104540. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2026.104540
- Kiiza, N., Aarakit, S. M., Katutsi, V. P., Murungi, H., Ssennono, V. F., Muwanga, R., Samanya, M., & Asingura, D. W. (2026). Analyzing biogas technology adoption in Ugandan households: The role of remittances, ethnicity, and education. Energy Policy, vol. 214, 115236. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2026.115236
- Nanteza, I., Mukisa, N., Wabukala, B. M., Samanya, M., & Murungi, H. (2025). Economic and environmental assessment of alternative energy cooking technologies for households in Uganda. Scientific African, vol. 29, e02840. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sciaf.2025.e02840
- MUBS Summer School, Kampala – Adoption of Biogas Technology Among Ugandan Households: A Systematic Review of Opportunities, Barriers, and Strategic Policy Interventions. 2023
- East Africa Energy Bootcamp, Arusha – Wind Energy Development in Uganda: Market and Technical Aspects. 2022