The National Renewable Energy Platform (NREP) with support from stakeholders successfully organized the Annual Renewable Conference & Expo, 2024 (REC24&Expo) from 31st October to 2nd November, 2024.
As part of the Communication Plan for the NREP and the Project Partnership Communication Plan for the Behavioural Change Communication Campaign on Electric Cooking Project (BCCeC), the NREP has organized Post – REC stakeholder engagement series. The aim of the initiative is to follow up on stakeholder engagements, pledges and commitments from the REC24&Expo.
The NREP, with support from the BCCeC project organized the first Post – REC series which consisted of the panel of traditional leaders from the REC24&Expo, which kickstarted the discussion on the role of traditional leaders in clean cooking. The session, dubbed ‘tapping into the Religious Voices in the Clean Energy Deployment Discourse” was held on 22nd November, 2024 in the form of a talk show.
Participants in the talk show included the following dignitaries:
- Ms. Suzan Kemigisha – a religious scholar at Uganda Christian University (UCU) – Moderator;
- Mr. Aludi John Bosco Komakech – Panelist;
- The Executive Director, Caritas Gulu Archdiocese – Panelist;
- Mr. David Kirabira, the Executive Director World of Life Fellowship Uganda – Panelist;
- Rev. Emmanuel Kalagala, the Vicar Church of the Resurrection Bugolobi – Panelist;
- Mr. Hannington Opondo, a pastor at Watoto Church – Panelist;
- Mr. Ibban Iddih Kasozi, an Imaam at Mawanga Masjid – Panelist and;
- Mr. Mukasa Mpungu Abuda Ra-Uf, the Moslem Community Mobiliser for Butambala – Panelist.
The religious leaders put across several messages including the following;
Religious leaders should mainstream environment into teachings by portraying a clean environment as an act of love and care for one’s neighbor.
There is need for a massive sensitization campaign on clean cooking solutions, more so in rural areas where majority of the population lives.
There is a misconception that clean cooking appliances are for the rich. However, it only appears so because of the high upfront cost. End user financing is key to unlocking increased access to clean cooking solutions.
There is need to educate the public on sustainable energy and environment conservation while quoting exemplary biblical scriptures, for example: ‘Matthew 22:39 – love your neighbor as you love yourself’ should not only focus on individuals but the environment as well; Psalms 1:1-3: blessed is the man who does not walk in evil ways; a man who walks righteously like a tree planted by the waters side bearing fruits in the right season.
In their parting shots, strategies to enhance the voices of religious leaders in clean energy were given as follows;
- There is need to build capacity of religious leaders in the application, operation and maintenance of e-cooking fuels and technologies, so that they are effective in behavioral change communication;
- Government and other development partners should support religious leaders in community sensitization by providing necessary materials for demonstration, information, education and communication.
Watch the full talk show here:
