OPINION
At Women For Green Economy Movement (WoGEM)Uganda, we join over 200 activists from around the world at the Renew Our Power Gathering, held in Brazil from April 13th to 17th, 2025.
This gathering focuses on the adoption and advocacy of renewable energy, highlighting the negative impacts of fossil fuels on the environment and human well-being. We had the privilege of having our Executive Director Ms. Twongirwe Ireen as one of the Panelists in this gathering.
The EACOP project, which began in Uganda’s Albertine region, exemplifies the devastating consequences of oil extraction. The project has displaced families, leaving children and marginalized women homeless. The search for oil has also led to increased school dropouts, contributing to teenage pregnancies and early marriages among young girls. These factors, along with other environmental damage, have resulted in higher mortality rates in the Albertine region.
We’re ringing a continuous wake-up call to all governments and responsible authorities worldwide to prioritize people over profit and abandon fossil fuels. These fuels emit carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming and poses a significant threat to our planet.
A study by UCL estimates that 8 million deaths annually are linked to air pollution, with 61% of these deaths directly attributed to fossil fuels. This staggering statistic underscores the urgent need to transition away from fossil fuels and embrace clean energy alternatives.
Furthermore, fossil fuels are non-renewable resources, meaning they cannot be replenished. What happens to the communities that depend on these fuels when they are depleted? The extraction process itself often leads to fatal accidents, exposure to toxic chemicals, and the loss of lives. Families are devastated as they search for these fuels that are poisonous and dangerous to human health and the environment.
It is against this backdrop that we join millions of voices in advocating for sustainable, renewable, and clean energy alternatives. We believe in a future where energy is accessible to all and the planet is protected. This is why we join the Renew Our Power Gathering. We stand in solidarity with those who are fighting for a just and sustainable energy future.
By Mary Blessing Ahairiirwe,
The writer is a Volunteer at Women for Green Economy Movement (WoGEM) Uganda
E-mail: maryblessingahairiirwe@gmail.com
