Masaka City Mayor Florence Namayanja has urged the government to subsidize electricity prices as one method of saving the planet from being destroyed by mankind.
Namayanja noted addressing youth at Masaka City Mayor’s Gardens on Tuesday April while commemorating the World Earth Day.
“This year’s theme “our power, our planet” calls us to transition from resilience and reliance on fossil fuels to renewable energy and clean energy production by the year 2030.
We must put this in reality and act as champions of nature. I therefore call upon the government to increase access and affordability to electricity to ensure clean energy and sustainability for the future.” Namayanja said.
She also commended Masaka city youth participating in the Bloomberg youth action fund aimed at inspiring youth actions in environment conservation.
“My legacy goal is to have a climate clean, green, liveable city. Youth are my environment champions across the city and Masaka must be the best example in Africa.” Nmayanja added.
World Earth Day is celebrated annually on April 22, to promote environmental awareness and sustainability.
This year’s theme, “our power, our planet,” emphasized the importance of renewable energy and community engagement in addressing climate change.
Masaka City Environment Officer Pauline Nabadda and Wilson Kizza, the Masaka City Community Development Officer retaliated about the importance of engaging youth in conserving the planet.
Youth in Masaka also raised key issues affecting the environment such as the high costs of electricity that have motivated charcoal making and deforestation.
Others are dumping non reusable diapers and pads by women, brick making, poor farming methods and waste management, and high levels of illiteracy.
Meanwhile, since elevation to city status, Masaka is among the 100 cities from 38 countries in the world which qualified for the Boomberg youth climate action fund.
The fund facilitates youth-led awareness, education research and development initiatives through climate education programs.
Maria Nalubega, the Masaka City coordinator for the Bloomberg youth climate action fund said they have so far funded at least 39 youth groups to mitigate the various environmental challenges.
Francis Ssematimba, a senior educationist in Masaka city said they have integrated waste into teaching at zero costs to create awareness amongst the young population.
They have also focused at producing a number of teaching aids from waste.
Ends.
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