MASAKA.
Young environmental activists and leaders of Masaka City have asked the government to review the current electricity tariffs to make it affordable to all Ugandans .
This ,according to activists will facilitate the transition from excessive use of wood fuel to clean energy which reduce the rate at which the country’s forest cover is being depleted.
During the marking of the World Earth Day at the Golf Course grounds in Masaka City on Tuesday several stakeholders observed that over reliance on wood fuel and lack of affordable alternatives are as key drivers of environmental degradation.
This day was celebrated under the theme, “Our power, our planet” and assembled over 30 youths’.
Mr James Kabuye, a team leader of Zero waste Initiative noted that effective conservation has to begin with review of government policies to make sure that they are in line with the broader interest of a sustainable and resilient country.
“Our efforts shall never yield sustainable impact if government doesn’t boldly embrace this campaign ,” he said
James Frank Kasibante, a member of Biodiversity Conservation Foundation (BCF) said the rate at which people consume firewood mostly in rural and urban areas is worrying and there is urgent need for alternative which is affordable electricity .
“The electricity could be a game changer but how many homesteads can afford using the electricity for cooking, it’s only for lighting, and this needs to change if the remaining forest cover is to be preserved,” he said.
Ms Pauline Nabadda, the Masaka City environment officer, asked young people to appreciate the contribution of the natural resources to the survival of human beings and take part in conserving the existing ecosystems.
She decried the limited resources that cripples their capacity to effectively monitor and implement environmental policies.
On her part ,Masaka City Mayor Ms Florence Namayanja said she has personally supported a number of youth groups to undertake mitigation projects and during her five years in office Masaka has greatly changed.
World Earth Day was first celebrated in 1970 and is gaining momentum worldwide and it serves as a platform for raising awareness about environmental pressing issues.
Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa recently promised that power tariffs will gradually go down after Uganda National Electricity Distribution Company Ltd(UEDCL) took over from South African firm ,Umeme .