North Karamoja Diocese Sets Focus On Environmental Conservation

13 June 2025, 8:30 pm

By Bondry Kilenga

KOTIDO:Diocesan Development Services-DDS-North Karamoja has commissioned smart energy-saving stoves at Rengen and Lopuyo primary schools in Kotido district, in an effort to reduce indiscriminate cutting of trees for firewood.

The stoves, constructed at a cost of Shs11.5 million under the Resilient Futures Initiative (RFI) project, seeks to empower Women and Girls in Karamoja sub-region from relying on firewood for cooking.

They were commissioned by the Kotido assistant RDC, Peter Abrahams Lokii, on Thursday June 5, 2025.

Rev. Canon Simon Peter Ijala, the Executive Director of Diocesan Development Services North Karamoja, said that the project is supported by World Vision with funding from Irish Aid.

He added that the stoves are expected to serve a population of over 3,000 pupils in the two schools.

Rev. Ijala noted that the beneficiary schools have been using firewood in old ovens for years, emitting dangerous smoke in the kitchen which is detrimental to the health of the cooks.

“As an organisation, we are responding to outcome four of the Nature-Based Opportunities Underpinning Resilient and Sustainable Households (NOURISH) project, which focuses on ensuring social and cultural empowerment of women and girls,” said Rev. Canon Ijala.

Rev. Alfred Okello, the North Karamoja Diocesan Secretary, echoed the church’s commitment to environment and climate change advocacy by supporting policies and actions to address the climate crisis in the region.

He said that environmental conservation is a moral responsibility and a way to care for God’s creation.

Sam Ogwang, the deputy headteacher of Rengen Primary School, and Acheng Monica, headmistress of Lopuyo Primary School, stated that the donation of the stoves is timely.

They noted that the school policy of pupils bringing firewood from home every morning failed when parents refused to comply.

While commissioning the stoves, Peter Abrahams Lokii, the assistant RDC of Kotido, praised the church for supporting government’s efforts geared towards combating the effects of climate change.

He highlighted the region’s struggle with climate emergencies, including habitat loss and damage to lands, urging joint efforts to reforest, protect ecosystems, and conserve aquifers.

Lokii noted that the climate impacts are mainly felt in agriculture, water, health, and human settlements, which have negatively affected the people and subsequently the economy.

The ARDC called upon people to adapt to healthy and sustainable use of resources and practices that protect the environment for peaceful coexistence.