John Robert Turyakira, executive director of the African Green Health Network, has urged Parliament to support the lifting of a ban on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) imposed by Western countries.
Turyakira, an environmental human rights defender, emphasized that developing countries bear the brunt of greenhouse gas emissions, primarily caused by the West.
He made these remarks during the launch of the “Just Stop Cooking” campaign, led by residents of Mwerere village in Mityana district.
Speaking to journalists, Turyakira highlighted that the West is responsible for the majority of greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to air pollution and poor air quality, which affects approximately 700,000 people with respiratory diseases in the Global South.
“As we approach COP30 in Brazil this November, we call on parliament and stakeholders to advocate for climate negotiations targeting $1.3 trillion as a new collective quantified goal and to expedite carbon trade mechanisms in the Global South,” he said.
Turyakira, joined by Patricia Nanteza, coordinator of We Planet Africa, noted that at COP29, the West pledged $300 billion annually to support the Global South’s climate efforts.
However, he stressed that this commitment remains unfulfilled. He also called for the release of funds for loss and damage and adaptation to support nature-dependent African nations.
Turyakira urged stakeholders in the environmental sector—including government agencies, private sector institutions, religious groups, cultural organizations, media, and civil society—to unite in protecting the environment from abuse.
He referenced the Paris Agreement, signed 10 years ago, which was domesticated in Uganda through the Climate Change Act. This act outlines Uganda’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), committing to a 24.7% reduction in emissions by 2030.
Nanteza expressed concern over the rising number of deaths in Uganda due to environmental degradation, stating that 60% of diseases affecting Ugandans stem from environmental abuse.
She appealed to Ugandans to adopt LPG and transition to hydroelectric power for domestic use to reduce reliance on charcoal.
Nanteza noted that the Ministry of Energy aims to transition 800,000 households annually to LPG, but this target remains challenging.
The “Just Stop Cooking” campaign, championed by Mwerere village residents, encourages the use of LPG over charcoal to mitigate environmental harm.
Nanteza explained that greenhouse gas emissions disproportionately affect Africans, underscoring the urgent need for funding to help vulnerable communities adapt to climate change impacts.
We Planet Africa plans to present a petition to parliament soon to document their cause and push for policy changes.
