Green Lens International

Join Us in conserving Mabamba Bay Wetland! As we approach World Wetlands Day on 2nd February, we're excited to share a compelling video documenting the challenges and solutions at Mabamba Bay Wetland System from last year. This time, we're returning to Mabamba to rally the communities and raise awareness about the crucial need for wetland conservation. Our upcoming activities, spanning from now until March 3rd, 2024, promise weeks of impactful initiatives. We warmly extend an invitation for you to be part of this significant day. 👉 Learn more and join the cause at greenlensug.org/wetlands Let's make a difference together! NatureUganda The Rufford FoundationWetlands International Convention on Wetlands UNDP ECOTRUST Ug WiGIS Uganda Barirega Akankwasah, PhD National Environment Management Authority Uganda Nelson Byanyima Greenwatch Rtn. Teddy Nabakooza Galiwango (the_green_lady_ug) #wetlands #wetlandsday #worldwetlandsday #mabambawetland #birding #shoebill #shoebillstork

Yesterday, we officially launched the Enhancing Clean Cooking in Uganda project in Mbarara City, a key initiative under the SEE – Clean Cooking Higher Tier Cooking Component (HTCC) Uganda. This project aims to accelerate the adoption of clean cooking solutions across Uganda. Led by UNACC in collaboration with GIZ Uganda, it focuses on strengthening governance, raising awareness, and advancing policy advocacy to drive Uganda’s transition to clean cooking. Targeting Western, Central, Southwestern, Rwenzori, and Northern Uganda, the project supports Uganda’s NDP III and NDCs goal of reducing biomass dependency from 88% to 50% and increasing clean cooking adoption from 15% to 50% by 2030. Key activities include regional awareness campaigns, policy dialogues, and market engagement initiatives to improve access and affordability of clean cooking solutions. A major milestone is the establishment of five regional Clean Cooking Hubs to serve as centers for awareness, education, product distribution, and after-sales support. The project also strengthens UNACC’s governance framework to enhance coordination of clean cooking initiatives and engage policymakers on tax and regulatory reforms to support sector growth. This project is co-financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, the European Union, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark coordinated by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) | Partner in Sustainable Development in partnership with Energising Development (EnDev) and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and CLASP in collaboration with Uganda National Alliance on Clean Cooking (UNACC) and National Renewable Energy Platform (NREP) - Uganda with support from Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (Uganda). Ella Kobusingye Tirwomwe Victoria Butegwa Acheles Karungi Eve Mashoo Nelson Byanyima Jim Ssebadduka Solomon Atepo #CleanCooking

Key Highlights of Today’s eCooking Stakeholder Outreach in Mbarara Today’s eCooking Leaders’ Workshop in Mbarara brought together key stakeholders, including local leaders, religious representatives, city council officials, and educators, to discuss the transition to clean cooking. The discussions focused on the benefits of electric cooking, particularly Electric Pressure Cookers (EPCs), and how households can shift from traditional cooking methods to electricity. The session was expertly moderated by Nicholas Mukisa, PhD and Dr. Paul Nduhuura ensuring an engaging and insightful discussion. Participants also witnessed live eCooking demonstrations led by UNACC, headed by Ms. Sarah Babirye, showcasing how EPCs can cook food efficiently while saving time and energy. The Mayor of Mbarara City, Robert Kachebezi, emphasized the city’s ongoing environmental conservation efforts, including the planting of 22,500 trees along River Rwizi, and linked these initiatives to the need for cleaner cooking solutions. “I’m grateful for initiatives that protect the environment. Clean cooking is backed by many challenges, but I encourage you to continue these efforts. Yaka meters have helped us manage electricity use, and we must now embrace electric cooking as part of our environmental protection strategy.” Ms. Catherine Hellen Kamwiine RCC Mbarara City highlighted the current reliance on biomass fuels, which forces many households to maintain multiple kitchens. She made a personal commitment to adopt clean cooking and encourage others to do the same: “I pledge to switch to clean cooking today and help shift mindsets in Mbarara. I will train others so that together, we spread the message. The government is also working to cut electricity costs with our growing hydropower capacity—let’s all preach the gospel of clean cooking.” Professor Oroka Laura from MUBS (Mbarara Campus) urged attendees to use organized savings groups to discuss and promote energy-efficient cooking practices: “Western Uganda has many active savings groups—let’s use them to talk about energy-saving habits. Small steps, like soaking beans overnight, can cut cooking time in half when using EPCs, saving both energy and money.” The event reinforced the importance of behavior change, affordability, and awareness in the clean cooking transition. With strong commitments from local leaders and stakeholders, Mbarara is set to take a significant step toward embracing eCooking as a sustainable and efficient alternative to traditional fuels. Thanks to our partners National Renewable Energy Platform (NREP) - Uganda UK in Uganda MECS programme GIZ Uganda Clean Cooking Alliance (CCA) Photos: Nelson Byanyima #ecooking #ecooking

Join us at the Cook Smart, Cook Clean Exhibition from March 3rd–8th, 2025 in Mbarara City to explore affordable cooking solutions that save you money and protect the environment! Why attend? Save up to 50% on cooking costs with Electric Pressure Cookers, Cook sustainably with Biogas Stoves, Reduce indoor air pollution with Ethanol Stoves, Protect Uganda’s forests with Improved Biomass Cookstoves and many more technolgies. Event Highlights: Live demonstrations and expert-led workshops. Learn how clean cooking can improve your health and save money. This event is Organized by UNACC with support from Energising Development (EnDev), GIZ Uganda, CLASP, Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) | Partner in Sustainable Development, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, European Union, and Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (Uganda) #cleancooking

Today is World Radio Day! Radio remains a powerful tool for reaching diverse communities, especially in promoting clean cooking and climate action. With broadcasts in local languages, it ensures that messages on sustainable energy solutions reach every household—from urban centers to remote villages. How are you using this traditional yet impactful medium in your work? Nabaho Emmanuel Abdun Bwanadi Greenwatch Green Lens International Clean Cooking Alliance (CCA) Uganda National Alliance on Clean Cooking (UNACC) ICLEI Africa Capital FM Kenya #worldradioday #radioandclimatechange #Happycooking

Key Takeaways from Today’s Leaders’ Workshop in Mbale Today, in collaboration with National Renewable Energy Platform (NREP) - Uganda and Uganda National Alliance on Clean Cooking (UNACC) we engaged local leaders in Mbale on how e-Cooking can transform communities. The session sparked meaningful discussions on key issues surrounding clean cooking adoption. Key Highlights: ✅ Local Leadership & Environmental Responsibility Leaders reflected on how Mbale was once greener and more organized and called for stronger local engagement in environmental conservation. Historical leaders like Semei Kakungulu were cited as examples of those who prioritized sustainability. ✅ Engaging Men in Clean Cooking A key concern was that clean cooking initiatives often focus on women, yet men play a crucial role in purchasing appliances and managing household budgets. Hotels, restaurants, and schools—where men cook professionally—also need to be part of the transition. ✅ Live Demonstrations & Breaking Myths Hands-on e-Cooking demonstrations allowed participants to experience the technology firsthand. A male participant actively joined, challenging the perception that clean cooking is only for women—reinforcing that it benefits everyone. ✅ Benefits of e-Cooking & Accessibility Sarah Babirye of UNACC broke down the benefits of e-Cooking, explaining how it saves costs, improves health, and reduces environmental impact. She also highlighted various foods that can be cooked, such as beans, hposho, malewa, Matooke,and mulokoni etc., and guided participants on where and how to purchase e-Cooking appliances. ✅ e-Cooking Tariffs & Affordability Dr. Paul Nduhura of NREP explained e-Cooking tariffs, addressing concerns about electricity costs. Participants emphasized the need for government support to help last-mile users access these technologies affordably. ✅ A Call for Stronger Policy Support Leaders highlighted the need for better policies and incentives to drive clean cooking adoption and called for stronger collaboration between government, private sector, and communities. The Way Forward Today’s discussions reaffirmed that clean cooking is not just about technology—it’s about people, policies, and partnerships. Engaging local leaders is key to driving adoption at the grassroots level. A big thank you to all participants for your valuable insights and commitment to making clean cooking a reality for all. UK in Uganda MECS programme Nicholas Mukisa, PhD Paul Nduhuura Nelson Byanyima Nabaho Emmanuel Mariah Kizza (PhD cand.) #CleanCooking #eCooking #Sustainability #CleanEnergyTransition

During our leaders’ workshop in Mbale with NREP and UNACC, an important concern was raised—many clean cooking initiatives tend to focus primarily on women. This is evident in communication materials, photographs, articles, and research. While it’s true that women are the most affected by traditional cooking methods, spending long hours exposed to harmful smoke, we must not overlook the role of men in this transition. Men also cook—whether at home or in professional settings like hotels, restaurants, and schools, where large-scale cooking happens daily. More importantly, men are often the decision-makers in households, responsible for purchasing appliances and managing family budgets. Their involvement is crucial in accelerating the adoption of e-Cooking solutions. This concern was absolutely valid, and it highlights the need for a more inclusive approach. Clean cooking is not just a women’s issue—it’s a household, economic, and environmental issue that affects everyone. That’s why I’m committed to ensuring that men are equally engaged, informed, and empowered with knowledge on life-changing opportunities like transitioning to e-Cooking. Let’s make this transition a collective effort! MECS programme Uganda National Alliance on Clean Cooking (UNACC) National Renewable Energy Platform (NREP) - Uganda Green Lens International Clean Cooking Alliance (CCA) ICLEI Africa East African Centre of Excellence for Renewable Energy and Efficiency (EACREEE) UNDP Uganda FAO Zainab Kakungulu #eCooking #CleanCooking #Happycooking

Radio talk shows are a powerful tool in advancing e-Cooking solutions across Uganda. As a highly accessible platform, radio allows us to connect with diverse audiences, including those in remote areas, providing essential information about clean cooking technologies. Through engaging discussions, expert insights, and real-life user testimonials, we can dispel myths, address concerns, and highlight the numerous benefits of e-Cooking—such as cost savings, improved health, and environmental conservation. By speaking to listeners in their local languages and encouraging interactive participation through live calls, radio creates an inclusive space for dialogue, deepening understanding and fostering community involvement. As we continue our clean cooking awareness campaign, radio plays a crucial role in shifting perceptions, driving informed choices, and accelerating the adoption of modern, efficient cooking solutions. Today, we were hosted live on Elgon FM 101.4 Mbale discussing these transformative solutions. National Renewable Energy Platform (NREP) - Uganda Uganda National Alliance on Clean Cooking (UNACC) UK in Uganda MECS programme Clean Cooking Alliance (CCA) Nabaho Emmanuel Paul Nduhura Mariah Kizza (PhD cand.) Nantayi Gorrette #Happycooking #eCooking #CleanCooking #ElgonFM

In today’s The New Vision Printing and Publishing Company Ltd, my article explores Uganda’s readiness for the eCooking transition. With the recent commissioning of the Karuma Hydropower Project, adding 600 MW to the national grid, and a 5.2% reduction in electricity tariffs, there is growing potential for electric cooking. However, challenges like limited grid access, unstable electricity supply, and high connection costs remain barriers to widespread adoption. The piece highlights the benefits of electric cooking appliances, including energy efficiency, improved health, and reduced reliance on charcoal and firewood. It also emphasizes the need for tax waivers on modern cooking appliances and strict quality control measures to ensure affordability and durability. The Government of Uganda supported by UK in Uganda, MECS programme and other partners, recently launched a two-year program to expand clean cooking solutions, train technicians, and deploy 10,000 high-quality appliances nationwide. While Uganda is making progress, strategic policies and infrastructure improvements are needed to ensure that every household can transition to clean and modern cooking. I’ll share the link to the full article soon! National Renewable Energy Platform (NREP) - Uganda East African Centre of Excellence for Renewable Energy and Efficiency (EACREEE) Uganda National Alliance on Clean Cooking (UNACC) ICLEI Africa Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (Uganda) UNDP Uganda SNV GIZ Uganda #HappyCooking #CleanCooking #eCooking

I’m thrilled to be part of this movement! Let’s build on last year’s progress and inspire more homes in Mbale to embrace clean cooking with eCooking appliances. National Renewable Energy Platform (NREP) - Uganda Uganda National Alliance on Clean Cooking (UNACC) UK in Uganda MECS programme Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (Uganda) Nicholas Mukisa, PhD Green Lens International Clean Cooking Alliance (CCA) East African Centre of Excellence for Renewable Energy and Efficiency (EACREEE) 📸 Credit: Nelson Byanyima #CleanCooking #HappyCooking #MbaleCity