By Guest Writers
Opinion: During Christmas season, we did a survey to find out how the renewable energy sources are utilized in Kikuube district, especially electricity, solar, and biomass.
We observed that most women and youth are not fully engaged in renewable energy.
This is because the government has failed to extend power to all five sub-counties of Kikuube district, that is, Kiziranfumbi, Bugambe, Buhimbe, Kyangwali, and Kabwaya, including the two town councils of Kikuube and Buhimbe.
In addition to the above, high tariffs and high taxes imposed on solar products have led a small population of people in Kikuube district to use renewable energy sources.
The failure by the government of Uganda to provide electricity services, including the failure to open up the new roads in the two councils and five districts, has hindered the development of the district and the massive destruction of the forests and wetlands by individuals searching for firewood for cooking and heating.
Kikuube district is one of the districts that is likely to face drastic climate change within a short time because of various activities taking place in the district.
The activities include the growing of sugar cane by Hoima Sugar Limited in Bugoma areas and out growers in various wetlands, oil roads taking place in most of the areas and other oil-related activities in the district, as well as the big pressure on the environment by the refugees from Kyangwali refugee camp.
The above activities taking place in the areas need the youth and women of Kikuube district and other oil host districts to be seriously engaged in the use of renewable energy and other eco-friendly activities because the districts are likely to face drastic climatic changes due to the massive destruction of forests and wetlands by investors and individuals doing various developments.
All the youth and women in Kikuube and other oil-hosting districts need to be engaged in the use of renewable energy sources in order to enable them to start some small businesses, reduce the pressure that is put on critical biodiversity, and lead to increased development of the new districts in the Albertine region, for instance, Kikuube and Buliisa.
Kikuube District is one of the new districts in the country, located in Bunyoro Kingdom. It was established by an Act of Parliament and became operational on July 1, 2018. Kikuube was curved out of Hoima District and covers the entire Buhaguzi County. The district is composed of 1 county and 5 sub counties, namely Bugambe, Buhimba, Kabwoya, Kiziranfumbi, and Kyangwali.
Therefore, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, the Kikuube local government, and other local governments in all the oil host districts must ensure that the youth and women are given the first priority in the use of renewable energy.
This will create jobs among the most vulnerable groups of people, mitigate the negative impacts of climate change, and lead to massive developments in the areas as well.
The authors are Kato Paul and Mary Gorret, team leaders for youth and women in Kikuube district.
Disclaimer: As UG Reports Media LTD, we welcome any opinion from anyone if it’s constructive for the development of Uganda. All the expressions and opinions in this write-up are not those of UG Reports Media Ltd. but of the author of the article.
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