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.
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’s evolving role as a “partner and catalyst for universal energy access.”
Dr. Patricia Kevin Litho, Assistant Commissioner of Communications and Public Relations at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD), highlighted the media’s vital role in translating government policies and updates into accessible information for the public.
“Beyond acting as a watchdog, the media helps shape societal agendas, influences political debate, and has the potential to drive universal energy access,” she said.
Gloria Sebikari, Corporate Affairs Manager at the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU), called on the media to focus on Uganda’s infrastructure needs, energy diversification, and the country’s energy transition plan.
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.
He noted that as Uganda’s 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.
Panelists emphasized the media’s significant power in setting the public agenda, with journalists’ 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.
The weeklong conference, themed “Energy and Minerals for Sustainable Growth,” 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.
In efforts to accelerate universal energy access, Eng. Irene Bateebe, Permanent Secretary at MEMD, reiterated the government’s commitment to the Electricity Connections Policy (ECP), which aims to connect 300,000 households annually to the national grid through 2027.
“Our 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,” Eng. Bateebe stated.
She also highlighted Uganda’s potential in renewable energy sources—such as solar, geothermal, and wind—to 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.
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.
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.
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.
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—10 million more than in 2021.
