KATO PAUL: Engage Kikuube youth, women in the use of renewable energy

During charismas season I did my survey to find out how the renewable energy sources are utilized in Kikuube district especially they electricity, solar and biomass. I observed that most of the women and youth are not fully engaged in the renewable.

This because the government  has failed to extend the power in all the five sub- counties of Kikuube district  that is to say Kiziranfumbi,  Bugambe, Buhimbe,  Kyangwali  and Kabwaya  including the two town councils  of Kikuube and Buhimbe.

In addition to above, high tariffs, high taxes imposed on solar products have led to a small population of the people in Kikuube district to use the renewable energy sources.  The  failure by the government of Uganda  to provide the electricity services including  the failure to open up the new  roads in the two to councils and five districts have  hindered the development of the district and  the massive destruction of the forests and wetlands by individual  searching for  firewood for cooking and heating .

Kikuube district is one of the districts that is likely to face the   drastic climate change within a short time because of various activities taking place in the district.  The activities include the growing of sugar canes 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 and the big pressure on environment by the refugees from Kyangwali refugee camp as well.

The above activities taking place in the areas needs the youth and women of Kikuube district and other oil host districts need to be serious engaged in the use of the renewable energy and  other eco-friendly activities because the districts are likely to face the  drastic climatic changes due to the massive destructions of the  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 the renewable energy sources  in order to enable them to start some small businesses, reduce on the pressure that is put critical biodiversity’s, led 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 1st July 2018; Kikuube was curved out of Hoima District and covers the entire Buhaguzi County. The district is composed of 1 County, 5 Sub Counties namely; Bugambe, Buhimba, Kabwoya, Kiziranfumbi and Kyangwali.

Therefore, Ministry of Energy and mineral Development and Kikuube local government and other local government in all the oil host districts to ensure that the youth and women are given the first priority in the use of renewable energy. This will create jobs among the vulnerable groups of people, mitigate the negative impacts of climate change and led to massive developments in the areas as well.

This article was written by Kato Paul and Marry Gorret, Team leaders for  youth and  women Kikuube district.

Katop.adyeeri@gmail.com