The Country Director for the World Wide Nature Fund Mr Ivan Tumuhimbise called upon policy makers and stakeholders to work towards the enhancement of easy access to renewable energy like solar to all Ugandans.
To solve the question of energy insecurity, Tumuhimbise said access to the abundant affordable renewable energy should be increased.
He noted that only 40% of households In Uganda depend on electricity, and the rest depend on biomass yet these are the ones that practice deforestation.
“We have got to work together to ensure that there are mechanisms that are able to disrupt dependency on biomass. Therefore through planting trees, we shall be able to curb these practices hence increasing afforestation,” he said.
He made these remarks while speaking at the press launch of the 2023 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) run.
He emphasizes the need to work jointly to promote energy efficiency and other SDGs.
WWF joined the Diamond Trust Bank-DTB and other sponsors to support the run which is aimed at ensuring energy efficiency in the country.
DTB injected $5000 (approx. Shs18m) in the forthcoming fifth edition of the(SDG) run 2023.
The sponsorship was announced by Samuel Matekha, the Head of Communications and Marketing at DTB during the press launch in Kampala.
“As a financial institution, we know that we cannot survive without being part of the sustainability agenda. We are implementing an ESG strategy that is implementing various pillars of sustainability of mother earth, our community, and business,” he said.
“We are looking at planting 2 million trees across Uganda and the purpose is to reduce the carbon emission coming from the communities we operate in. This and other initiatives will be deployed to support the work alongside like-minded partners to tackle climate change,” he added
The Minister for East African Affairs Ms Rebecca Kadaga, who hosted the press launch, extended her heartfelt gratitude to Diamond Trust Bank and other partners for their unwavering commitment to promoting sustainable development especially the SDG Run 2023.
“The proceeds from this year’s SDG RUN will be dedicated to the installation of a Solar Power supply system for Buliisa Health Centre IV in Buliisa district and planting trees in the same district to mitigate the impacts of climate change that may arise from oil processing in the Albertine region,” she said.
The run has been organised by the Youth Go Green under the theme: Affordable and Clean Energy.
Mr Edwin Muhumuza, the executive director of the Youth Go Green said that this 5th edition has been dedicated towards SDG7 which aims at ensuring that all people can access reliable and efficient energy.
It will take place on Sunday October 29, at Kololo ceremonial grounds staring at 6:30 am.
