Amplifying discussions on renewable energy through radio talk shows
Radio talk shows remain authoritative platforms for advocacy and creating public awareness about social, economic and development issues directly to the communities.
Through conversations with experts, community members and other stakeholders, radio creates space for people to learn, share experiences, ask questions and engage with issues that affect their everyday lives.
Oxfam’s energy experts Siraji Magara Luyima, The Energy and Extractives Coordinator and Micheal Nimusiima, Project Officer, Innovative Energy Solutions were hosted on Radio One on Tuesday 25th Aug 2026 at 7 PM to discuss how better planning and budgeting can accelerate access to renewable energy.
In this discussion, Siraji and Micheal made profound discussions on lessons, challenges, and recommendations for strengthening renewable energy interventions across Uganda.
One of the highlighted points is that expanding access to renewable energy requires deliberate planning, stronger governance and greater investment at both national and local levels.
While communities need affordable and reliable energy to support their livelihoods and development, planning and budgeting for renewable energy at district level remain critical gaps that need to be addressed.
“A key recommendation is to decentralize energy planning and delivery, ensuring that local governments have the structures, resources and budgets needed to respond to community energy needs. Renewable energy solutions should be designed closer to the people who need them, while contributing to broader national development priorities.”
There is also a need for stronger collaboration between government, the private sector and development partners.
The private sector brings important technologies and expertise that can help expand access to practical solutions such as solar-powered cookers, electric pressure cookers and other clean-energy alternatives.
Investing in these solutions can reduce communities' dependence on firewood and other traditional fuels, particularly easing the burden on women who spend considerable time collecting firewood and may face risks in the process.
Ultimately, stakeholders must strengthen policies, increase financing and budgeting, decentralize energy services, and promote affordable clean-energy technologies.
These interventions can bring renewable energy closer to communities while supporting development, protecting the environment and strengthening resilience to climate change.
A call for removal of barriers to accelerate the clean energy transition
Micheal noted that expanding renewable energy access, particularly in underserved and energy-poor communities, requires stronger financing, supportive policies and closer collaboration between government, financial institutions, energy service companies and communities.
He recommended that improving access to affordable financing for both renewable energy companies and communities where financial institutions can develop flexible financing options, while approaches such as pay-as-you-go models can enable households to acquire clean-energy technologies and pay for them gradually.
“There is also a need to strengthen local energy service centres so that communities can easily access renewable energy products, maintenance, repairs and after-sales support. This will encourage energy companies to establish a long-term presence beyond urban centres and make renewable energy solutions more sustainable.”
Government institutions should also strengthen coordination on subsidies, taxation and renewable energy policies. Timely payment of subsidies and tax systems that reflect instalment-based payments could ease cash-flow pressures on energy service providers and allow them to expand their operations.
He finally stressed that stakeholders should explore carbon financing and carbon credit opportunities to provide additional incentives for clean-energy adoption. By removing financing, policy and market barriers, renewable energy can become more affordable and accessible, ensuring that the transition to clean energy reaches the communities that need it most.