Bunyoro women urge govt on renewable energy

_________________

Women in the Bunyoro region have urged the Government to make renewable energy sources accessible to all citizens as a way of empowering them to fight against climate change.

The women say a big percentage of the population in the region depends on fossil energy resources, which has compounded climate change.

Nub Birungi, a farmer in Kitoba sub-county, says there is a need for the Government to subsidise the renewable energy facilities so that they can be accessible to every member of the community.

She adds that renewable energy is expensive and inaccessible and, as a result, many people in the region depend on wood fuel, which has contributed to the depletion of forest cover.

Women in the Bunyoro region have urged the Government to make renewable energy sources accessible to all citizens as a way of empowering them to fight against climate change. (Photo by Peter Abaanabasazi)

According to Birungi, the community are now resorting to fruit trees to get firewood, which calls for government support for local women to acquire and adapt to renewable energy.

The women from the districts of Hoima and Buliisa, made the call on February 27, 2025, during the launch of the African Women of Faith in Energy project at Kyabahesi Church of Uganda in Kyabasesi cell, Hoima west division in Hoima city.

The five-year project is aimed at empowering grassroots women on the issue of climate change in six countries: Ugandan, Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana, DRC and Nigeria. It is implemented by Green Faith African.

Beatrice Rukanyanga, a local partner of Green Faith African from Hoima district, said the effects of climate change are real and there is a need to make deliberate efforts to tackle them.

She noted that there has been an increase in environmental degradation because of agricultural activities and the population's search for wood fuel.

She noted that there is a need to advocate for climate-smart agricultural methods and to make clean energy sources and electricity accessible and affordable to all citizens to address the causes of climate change.

Modester Lynn, the regional coordinator of the Africa Women of Faith in Energy project, said under this project, they are promoting renewable energies such as solar, hydropower, geothermal energy and wind power.

She noted that they are targeting religion because of its good following and that they are optimally engaging women of different faiths to create an impact as far as renewable energy promotion is concerned.

Under this project, women are expected to learn how to access renewable energies by training them to use available resources to develop their own energy.

Plant more trees 

The Rev. John Nyakoojo of Kyabahesi Church called for the planting of more trees to mitigate the effects caused by oil and gas developments in the Albertine graben.