The cultural leaders of Bugisu and Teso regions have urged their subjects to embrace smarter energy alternatives, such as using groundnut shells, for cooking. This was revealed to this publication by the spokesperson of the Bamasaaba cultural institution, Mr. Steven Masiga.
Masiga emphasized the importance of thinking beyond firewood if we are to protect our forests. “We must think beyond firewood if we are to protect our forests,” he said.
His Highness, the Umukuka III of the Bamasaaba people, Jude Mike Mudoma, was the guest of honor during the launch of the briquettes factory in Nyero Town Council, Kumi District. His Highness the Umukuka highlighted the need for cultural leaders and their subjects to change their mindsets to protect the environment. “The floods you hear about in Bugisu are a result of environmental mismanagement,” Umukuka lamented.
The purpose of opening a factory in Teso is to encourage the use of groundnut shells as alternative sources of fuel for cooking, rather than discarding them. This will help protect the environment from further degradation.
During the launch of the factory, different speakers praised the idea of using alternative sources of energy, rather than the traditional method of firewood, if forests in Teso and Bugisu are to be protected.
The launch was attended by His Highness Jude Mike Mudoma, the Umukuka III of the Bamasaaba people, as guest of honor, and the cultural leader of Teso, His Highness Papa Sunday. State ministers for Mineral Development, Hon. Peter Lokeris, and for Energy, Hon. Sidrous Okosai, were also present, along with other dignitaries.
Below is a group photo of the Umukuka III and the Teso cultural leader at the factory launch in Teso, at the famous Nyero Rock Paintings.
