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African countries are on a journey of shifting from traditional, fossil fuel-based energy systems to sustainable renewable resources. Many countries have embraced this call which is embarking on closing the region’s massive energy access gap while driving industrial growth. African countries are therefore part of the collective international goal (net zero) which aims at balancing greenhouse gases (GHG) produced by human activities by 2050. Welcome to eyes on a just transition programme where we take you on an informative journey of energy transition across Africa. In our programme today, we look at the influence and role of colonialism towards the economic struggle of Africa’s transition. Witness radio draws attention to the challenges that African countries and their governments face in the bid to adjust to this forthcoming new normal. The programme centers on the solutions that can help to overcome these challenges. These are highlighted through the pan Africanism ideology and collective responsibility of the African leaders to negotiate for a colonial free transition. This particular programme questions Africa’s readiness for the transition and measures that have been put in place to ensure its success. We bring to you an exclusive interview with an expert and economist from Tunisia, Mr. Fadhel Kabhoub. As an expert, he gives an over view on the economic progress and struggle of the African countries towards achieving a successful energy transition. He also highlights some of the challenges and obstacles delaying the transition journey. Stay tuned for more …..…
The Fight for a Fair Energy Transition in Africa
Agriculture remains the backbone of East Africa’s economy, contributing between 25–40% of GDP and employing over 80% of the region’s population. Yet despite this dependence on farming, millions across the East African Community continue to face food insecurity due to climate change, poor access to quality inputs, post-harvest losses, and restrictive market systems. In this episode of On The Farm, Witness Radio Uganda examines the controversial East African Seeds and Plant Varieties Bill 2025, a proposed regional law aimed at harmonizing seed certification, plant variety registration, and seed trade across East Africa. The discussion features Counsel Ruben Kiiru, a Kenyan lawyer and seed rights advocate, who breaks down the bill’s objectives, opportunities, and potential dangers for smallholder farmers.
Dissecting the EAC seeds and plant varieties bill and its implications
Agriculture continues to shape livelihoods, food security, and economies across Africa every single day. In Uganda, farmers are currently in the middle of the first rainy season a critical period as crops grow and key decisions made determine yields, incomes, and food availability in the months ahead. In today’s episode of On the Farm, we unpack a major development in the region’s agricultural policy landscape. The East African Legislative Assembly (@eastafricanlegislativeasse7264) has taken an important step toward introducing the EAC Agroecology Bill, 2026. The Chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hon. Gideon Gatpan, has officially been granted leave by the House to draft and table the proposed law marking its formal entry into the legislative process. But what exactly is the Agroecology Bill? What does it mean for farmers, especially smallholder farmers? And how could it reshape food systems, farming practices, and agricultural governance in East Africa? In this episode, we explore these critical questions and more...
Agroecology bill moves to East African Legislative Assembly EALA
Countries around the world are transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable and clean energy. For decades, fossil fuels have powered economic growth, but their impact has led to serious environmental damage and threats to human well-being. Today, global efforts are focused on accelerating a shift toward cleaner, more sustainable energy sources that protect both people and the planet. Achieving this transition is essential for countries aiming to reach Net Zero emissions. In this episode, we host Sandrine Dixson-Declève, who shares insights on how nations are navigating the shift to renewable energy and what it means for our collective future.
GLOBAL JOURNEY TO CLEAN ENERGY.
Today, we turn our attention to the new draft Bill that has sparked wide debate among farmers, civil society, and policy experts across East Africa, the East African Community Seeds and Plant Varieties Bill 2025. Across East Africa, farming has always been more than just a livelihood. For generations, farmers have saved seeds from one harvest to plant the next. They have shared seeds with neighbors, exchanged them across communities, and carefully selected the varieties that survive drought, pests, and changing seasons. But now, a new draft bill is stirring debate across the agricultural sector. The East African Community Seeds and Plant Varieties Bill 2025 seeks to harmonize seed regulations among member states including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, and South Sudan. Supporters of the bill say it will help improve seed quality, strengthen plant breeding research, and make it easier to trade seeds across borders within the East African Community. They argue that a unified system could boost agricultural productivity and support the development of improved seed varieties. However, critics including farmers’ groups, activists, and civil society organizations say parts of bill raises serious concerns. Some fear that certain provisions could limit farmers’ traditional practices such as saving, exchanging, and replanting seeds. Others worry that stricter certification requirements may favor commercial plant breeders and large seed companies over smallholder farmers. At the center of the debate is a key question: how can the region balance innovation in agriculture with the protection of farmers’ rights and indigenous seed systems that have sustained communities for decades? In today’s conversation on On The Farm, we explore what this proposed law means, why it matters to farmers, and what it could mean for the future of seeds and food security in East Africa
East African Community SEEDS AND PLANT VARIETIES BILL 2025
In this episode of the Witness Radio Dawn Program, we highlight a significant visit by East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Representatives to an agroecology model farm in Uganda, where they witnessed firsthand the transformative power of agroecology in strengthening sustainable food systems, protecting the environment, and improving community livelihoods. During the visit, leaders engaged with local farmers, agroecology practitioners, and community members to understand how ecological farming practices are promoting food sovereignty, climate resilience, and sustainable rural development across Uganda and the East African region.
EALA Representatives acknowledging the transformative potential of agro ecology.
In this episode of the Witness Radio Dawn Program, we discuss a newly released report by the Environment Governance Institute (EGI) and the Civic Response Initiative (CRI) highlighting alleged human rights violations affecting community members in Uganda’s Albertine Region. The conversation explores key findings from the report, voices from affected communities, and the broader implications for land rights, environmental protection, and social justice. We also examine the responsibilities of stakeholders, the role of civil society, and the urgent need for accountability and protection of vulnerable populations.
A new report by EGI &CRI on human rights violation of community members in Albertine Region Uganda
In this episode, we explore Uganda’s ambitious path toward a sustainable energy future. From the challenges of reducing reliance on fossil fuels to the opportunities presented by solar, wind, and other renewable sources, we examine how policy, innovation, and community initiatives are shaping the nation’s energy landscape. Join us as we speak with experts, policymakers, and local innovators about the environmental, economic, and social impacts of Uganda’s transition to clean energy.
Uganda’s Journey in Transitioning from Fossil Fuels to Clean Energy
In this episode, we explore the critical role of media in shaping Uganda’s journey toward renewable energy. We discuss current energy policies, highlight the challenges facing a just and equitable energy transition, and examine how media coverage can inform, influence, and empower communities. Join us as we speak with experts, policymakers, and advocates on the opportunities and hurdles in building a sustainable energy future for Uganda and Africa.
The Media in Renewable Energy Policies and Challenges Toward a Just Energy Transition in Uganda
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