{"id":13187,"date":"2024-11-03T15:59:39","date_gmt":"2024-11-03T15:59:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ugandaupdatenews.com\/?p=13187"},"modified":"2024-11-04T11:08:50","modified_gmt":"2024-11-04T11:08:50","slug":"partnering-for-power-medias-influence-in-ugandas-energy-roadmap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/partnering-for-power-medias-influence-in-ugandas-energy-roadmap\/","title":{"rendered":"Partnering for Power: Media’s Influence in Uganda’s Energy Roadmap"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Zulfah Namatovu<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Uganda’s push for universal energy access is increasingly emphasizing the media’s strategic role, with government leaders encouraging media outlets to adopt a proactive and balanced approach in communicating energy initiatives to the public.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This appeal came during a panel discussion at the Renewable Energy Conference (REC) on Saturday at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala, where representatives from government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) discussed the media\u2019s evolving role as a \u201cpartner and catalyst for universal energy access.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Patricia Kevin Litho, Assistant Commissioner of Communications and Public Relations at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD), highlighted the media\u2019s vital role in translating government policies and updates into accessible information for the public.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBeyond acting as a watchdog, the media helps shape societal agendas, influences political debate, and has the potential to drive universal energy access,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gloria Sebikari, Corporate Affairs Manager at the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU), called on the media to focus on Uganda\u2019s infrastructure needs, energy diversification, and the country\u2019s energy transition plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similarly, Jonan Kiiza, spokesperson for Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL), urged journalists to deepen their understanding of the energy sector to create more compelling and informative stories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He noted that as Uganda\u2019s media landscape transitions from traditional to digital platforms, reliable energy has become essential for journalists, underscoring the need for media professionals to advocate for universal energy access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Panelists emphasized the media\u2019s significant power in setting the public agenda, with journalists\u2019 coverage decisions shaping national conversations. By simplifying complex policies and technical issues, the media enables citizens to stay informed and make educated decisions on energy issues affecting their lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The weeklong conference, themed \u201cEnergy and Minerals for Sustainable Growth,\u201d concluded Energy and Minerals Week 2024, organized by MEMD. The event served as a platform for key stakeholders to discuss challenges and solutions related to energy generation, transmission, distribution, and regulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In efforts to accelerate universal energy access, Eng. Irene Bateebe, Permanent Secretary at MEMD, reiterated the government\u2019s commitment to the Electricity Connections Policy (ECP), which aims to connect 300,000 households annually to the national grid through 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur electrification rate has risen from 5% in 2001 to 60% today, with 22% of connections on-grid and 38% off-grid. To achieve universal access by 2030, approximately 10 million new connections are needed,\u201d Eng. Bateebe stated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She also highlighted Uganda\u2019s potential in renewable energy sources\u2014such as solar, geothermal, and wind\u2014to diversify the energy mix and reduce carbon emissions. Currently, electricity access in Uganda stands at 47.1%, with 57.2% of urban areas connected, compared to just 10% in rural regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A recent report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), the World Bank, and the World Health Organization (WHO), released on June 12, warns that the world remains off course to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 for energy by 2030.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SDG 7 advocates for universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy, including electricity access, clean cooking, energy efficiency improvements, and a higher share of renewables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Achieving SDG 7 would profoundly impact global health and well-being by reducing environmental risks, such as air pollution, and expanding access to essential services like primary health care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the report reveals a troubling trend: for the first time in over a decade, the number of people without electricity access increased, largely in Sub-Saharan Africa, as population growth outpaced new electricity connections. As of 2022, 685 million people worldwide remain without electricity\u201410 million more than in 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Editor:msserwanga@gmail.com<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Zulfah Namatovu Uganda’s push for universal energy access is increasingly emphasizing the media’s strategic role, with government leaders encouraging<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13202,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[65],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13187","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-national-news"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/med2.jpg","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":9445,"url":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/private-sector-has-a-major-role-to-play-in-ugandas-energy-mix-agenda-to-ensure-universal-electricity-access-minister-okasaai\/","url_meta":{"origin":13187,"position":0},"title":"Private Sector has a major role to play in Uganda’s energy mix agenda to ensure universal electricity access- Minister Okasaai","author":"UgandaUpdate","date":"July 14, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"By Zulfah Namatovu The Uganda government has expressed optimism in the private sector players' role in advancing the country's energy mix agenda to accelerate universal access to power by 2040 when Uganda is expected to produce 52,000 megawatts of electricity, State Minister for Energy Sidronious Okasaai Opolot has stated .\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Energy"","block_context":{"text":"Energy","link":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/category\/energy\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/pow-scaled.jpg","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/pow-scaled.jpg 1x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/pow-scaled.jpg 1.5x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/pow-scaled.jpg 2x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/pow-scaled.jpg 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5716,"url":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/electricity-connectivity-is-a-key-government-priorityenergy-ministry-permanent-secretary-eng-batebe-assures-afdb-mission\/","url_meta":{"origin":13187,"position":1},"title":"ELECTRICITY CONNECTIVITY IS A KEY GOVERNMENT PRIORITY;ENERGY MINISTRY PERMANENT SECRETARY ENG. 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Irene Batebe has stated . \u201cThis includes a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Energy"","block_context":{"text":"Energy","link":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/category\/energy\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/bate.jpg","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/bate.jpg 1x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/bate.jpg 1.5x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/bate.jpg 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13047,"url":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/pioneering-clean-energy-ugandas-path-to-universal-lpg-access\/","url_meta":{"origin":13187,"position":2},"title":"Pioneering Clean Energy: Uganda’s Path to Universal LPG Access","author":"UgandaUpdate","date":"October 19, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"By Dominic Ochola The Government of Uganda has signed a Supply and Purchase Agreement with Global Gases Group to establish a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) storage facility and cylinder manufacturing and filling plants in Uganda. The facility, which will be located in Luzira and is expected to be completed by\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "National News"","block_context":{"text":"National News","link":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/category\/national-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/ire-scaled.jpg","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/ire-scaled.jpg 1x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/ire-scaled.jpg 1.5x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/ire-scaled.jpg 2x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/ire-scaled.jpg 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11424,"url":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/tayebwa-salutes-government-for-extending-electricity-to-the-rural-communities\/","url_meta":{"origin":13187,"position":3},"title":"Tayebwa Salutes Government For Extending Electricity to The Rural Communities","author":"UgandaUpdate","date":"February 3, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"MITOOMA\u2014 The Deputy Speaker, Mr Thomas Tayebwa, has appreciated government's efforts through the Ministry pf Energy to extend electricity to the rural communities . 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