By Leilah Bbaale
The Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) has officially launched its 2026 Women in Energy school outreach programme, a nationwide initiative aimed at increasing girls’ participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and strengthening women’s presence in Uganda’s energy sector.
The programme was unveiled on March 27 at Bukomero Secondary School in Kiboga District, drawing participation from six secondary schools.
The event was presided over by the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Ruth Nankabirwa, who highlighted the importance of resilience, self-belief, and embracing opportunities within the energy sector. She urged young girls to pursue STEM disciplines, noting that the sector offers vast career prospects for women.
Hon. Nankabirwa also re-echoed government’s commitment to promote clean energy use, including a special lower cooking tariff for institutions, which she said is intended to accelerate the transition to sustainable energy solutions.
ERA Board Chairperson Eng. Grania Rosette Rubombora advised students to remain grounded in faith and discipline, warning against the negative influence of social media, money, and risky behaviour.
The outreach program is expected to expand to more districts, including Hoima, Masindi, Soroti, and Kaberamaido, reaching thousands of students. It forms part of broader efforts by ERA to close the gender gap in the energy sector, where women remain underrepresented.
As part of the initiative, ERA will also host its Annual Women in Energy Forum on April 14, 2026 uniting stakeholders from the energy sector and academia to discuss strategies for advancing women’s participation and leadership.
Representatives from key industry players, including Berkeley Energy Limited, Bujagali Energy Limited, Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL), and Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL), were also in attendance.
