Masaka City Mayor Hon. Florence Namayanja has urged the government of Uganda to subsidize electricity energy prices to save the planet from being destroyed by mankind.
The Mayor, Florence Namayanja was addressing the youth at Masaka Mayor’s gardens on Tuesday April 22nd, 2025, during the commemoration of 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 action as champions of nature. I therefore call upon government to increase access and affordability to electricity to ensure clean energy and sustainability for the future.” Mayor Namayanja said.
The Mayor also congratulated Masaka City populace upon reaching the world earth day and commended the youth in participating in the Bloomberg Youth Action Fund aimed at inspiring Youth Action in environment conservation.
“My legacy goal is to 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.” Namayanja added
Masaka City, under the efforts of Mayor Florence Namayanja was among the 100 cities from 38 countries in the world that qualified for the Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund to facilitate Youth-led awareness, education research and development initiatives through climate education programs, youth climate hackathons, youth- developed climate surveys and research, youth- informed clubs and youth designed public art and awareness campaigns.
Other youth-led environment conservation and mitigation projects funded in Masaka City are community gardening, tree planting, reforestation and urban farming campaigns, youth managed recycling and and waste reduction programs, youth-produced climate resilience workshops and disaster preparedness programs among others.
World Earth Day is celebrated annually on April 22nd 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 Ms. Pauline Nabadda and Mr. Kizza Wilson, the Masaka City community development officer retariated about the importance of engaging the youth and both gender in conserving the earth.
Some of the key issues raised by the youth in Masaka that have affected the environment include; the high costs of electricity that have motivated charcoal making and deforestation, dumping non reusable diapers and pads by women, brick making, poor farming methods and waste management, high levels of illiteracy. etc.
Ms. Maria Nalubega, the Masaka City coordinator for the Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund said they have so far funded atleast 39 youth groups to mitigate the above mentioned challenges through community awareness of Zero waste initiatives from heads to hands educational projects.
Mr. 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 about their role in conserving the environment by making a number of teaching Aids from waste.
World Earth Day First celebrated in 1970, founded by Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin to raise awareness about environmental issues, promote sustainability, and advocate for climate action by offering Support to organizations promoting clean energy and reducing carbon footprint, Participating in local environmental events, tree planting, and clean-up initiatives, Adoption of eco-friendly habits, reduce plastic use, and conserve natural resources and Sharing environmental knowledge with others, and stay updated on climate issues.
