By Ambrose Gahene,
KAMPALA
Stakeholders at the ongoing National Solar Energy Expo at Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) showground in Kampala have called on Ugandans to embrace use of solar energy for domestic requirements as a form of clean energy instead of relying on charcoal and fire word for cooking and lighting. The call was made by various speakers at day one of the expo which kick started on Thursday and will run for three consecutive days from; 25th to 27th July 2024.
Dr. Brian Isabirye, the Commissioner for Renewable Energy at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, who was Guest of Honor at the expo, said Solar Energy is number two to Nuclear Energy Worldwide but number one in Uganda today.
“In Uganda today, solar energy stands at 38 percent of power fed to the National Grid and many households in both urban and rural areas use solar for their domestic and commercial electricity requirements’’, he said.
Dr. Isabirye said solar energy is fastest growing in Uganda and is cheaper than other forms of energy, but said his ministry still faces challenges of inadequate sensitization of the entire population of Uganda to embrace solar energy.
He called on solar business companies to belong to Associations in order to build capacity and get support from Government and Development partners.
“We should have regular solar conferences and expos both at National and at East Africa Community (EAC) level to raise awareness on the advantages of embracing use of solar energy by our communities”, he added.
Owek.Mariam Mayanja Nkalubo, Minister for Water, Gender and Environment in Buganda Kingdom, reiterated the need for local leaders and Government technocrats and politicians to sensitize the population on preserving the environment by planting more trees and increase the adaptation and use of solar energy in Uganda.
“The Kingdom of Buganda supports solar energy to combat environment degradation and guarantee a better future for our children and grand children”, she said.
She said the Kingdom in addition encourages communities to grow indigenous trees and that each family is encouraged to grow a small forest termed; “Ekibira kya Kabaka” (The King’s forest).
