Friday12th May, 2017
A group of over 70 students from Makerere University and
community members from around Kampala city gathered at the University
Art gallery for the first Global Divestment Mobilization campaign in
the country dubbed Fossil Free Uganda. The event was aimed at
raising awareness about the harm paused by fossil fuel and to launch
the Fossil Free movement in the country. In attendance also was
Masereka Charles the founder and CEO, Youth Agribusiness
Fraternity Uganda, a strong climate justice advocacy group in Kampala
as well as Joseph Mwogeza, Waluya Paul and Sseggujja John Mary
from Girls For Climate
The
group watched documentary film about about the wreckage that fossil
fuels have caused onto mother earth.
John
Hillary Balyejusa, the event lead organizer held an interactive
session further discussing the cons of fossil energy and urgent need
to divest from it stressing their role in causing the current climate
crisis affecting the country. He also spoke of Uganda's obligation to
honor the Paris agreement which demands for and end to establishment
of new oil projects. Together with the crowd, he explored the various
sources of renewable energy and how we can demand our authorities to
consider renewables over fossil fuels. During this session, the group
asked about how they can be engaged in the advocating for a fossil
free Uganda and were encouraged to strongly undertake a campaign to
demand their institutions to divest as a tool to weaken fossil fuel
companies
The
evening was spiced up with coffee, snacks and various poetry
performances. Wake Mwana Weika, in his poem spoke of the lack
of food and water faced by his people in Pallisa district. His poem
called upon the crowd to embrace environmental conservation and
desist from projects that destroy the earth's climatic balance.
Nsubuga Devis recited a poem reminding the audience of the
good times he experienced growing up. He played in the rain with
friends, but now there is hardly enough rain to support crop
production.
Daniel
Omara in his poem wondered why no one is concerned with the state
of our environment. He criticized the burning of polythene bags and
asked for responsible action from everyone towards protection of the
planet. Whoesh a
luganda rapper treated to crowd to a thrilling perfomance
about the beauty of the planet and the need to protect it. Other
poets for the evening were Stella, Derrick Achellam,
Aaron Kayondo, Shama, Allan the
poetic dancer, Brian Kirya and Agaba
Ivan
At
10:00PM, the group took a group photo and many people willingly
signed up for the fossil free Uganda Movement.
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