Uganda’s Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Hon. Justine Kasule Lumumba, urged students and religious leaders to take an active role in protecting the environment and using technology responsibly and uniting young people for Climate Action, values emphasized in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries
Guest of Honor at Laudato Si Green Festival in Jinja
Speaking at the Laudato Si’ Green Festival in Jinja, the Minister emphasized the close relationship between natural resources and human well-being. She encouraged young people to protect green spaces, preserve soil health, and recognize the importance of the environment in securing their future.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Agriculture
Hon. Lumumba also highlighted the government’s plans to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) in agriculture. She explained that AI can help farmers monitor crops and livestock more effectively, improve agricultural practices, and contribute to food security.
The critical role of nature in sustaining Uganda’s ecosystem
She highlighted the critical role of nature in sustaining Uganda’s ecosystem, noting that approximately 40% of the country’s rainfall is generated by its wetlands and forests. She contrasts treated water with natural rainfall, observing that plants “smile” when they recieve natural rainfall adding that this is often reflected in beautiful flowers and healthy, glossy leaves, when they receive natural, untreated rain.
She also used the colors of the day to symbolize the essential elements required for life:
Green: Represents the natural spaces and plants we seek to protect and sustain. White: Represents the light essential for plant growth. Cream/Yellow: Sunlight a a primary source of energy on Earth that drives both photosynthesis in plants to create food and oxygen, and solar power technology to generate clean electricity for sustainable human living. Brown: Reflected in her own attire, symbolizing the soil that nourishes and sustains the green environment.
AI as a Tool for Environmental Solutions
As the minister responsible for AI, Lumumba explains how technology can help reduce human impact on the environment while providing practical solutions for agriculture. She highlights several applications of AI in farming:
Pest Detection: Farmers can use smartphones to photograph crops such as maize, allowing AI to identify threats, including pests like the fall armyworm.
Precision Agriculture: AI can recommend the appropriate type and quantity of treatment required for a particular plant, as well as the correct method of application—for example, whether to spray the leaves or apply treatment to the soil.
Livestock Health: AI can analyze photographs of animals, such as goats, to identify potential internal health problems. It can also help verify the quality of veterinary medicines, reducing the risk of counterfeit or ineffective products being used.
The Minister challenged students to make meaningful use of modern technology rather than allowing it to become a source of distraction. She encouraged them to value their education and apply their knowledge and technological skills to address challenges facing their communities and the country emphasizing that Uganda is working towards building a safe and inclusive digital environment and it requires collective efforts to achieve. She expressed joy over the eco innovations she witnessed at the Laudato Si Green Festival which were described by many as
” …. a launchpad for the next generation of environmental leaders in Uganda”
She appreciated the organizers for promoting faith-inspired environmental action and for developing a scalable environmental initiative built around a sustainability model that engages and educates people across all generations, beginning with the youngest. She also appreciated the empiisaenungi.com program, which aligns with her work in national guidance ‘omulangamya wempiisa’ and youth formation, particularly in strengthening moral values and faith inspired ecological citizenship that intergates cultural values and celebrates the heroic values of (the Late Pope Francis and the Late Bishop Charles Martin Wamika of Jinja diocese). She concluded by calling on young people to become responsible environmental stewards by embracing education, innovation, and technology to build a greener, more sustainable Uganda for future generations.
National Guidance and Social Impact
Beyond technology and agriculture, Lumumba discusses her responsibilities in National Guidance. She expressed concern that digital platforms such as TikTok can, at times, undermine cultural and religious values among young people. She therefore encouraged students to use technology responsibly, for the benefit of humanity and to promote knowledge and positive social values.
Lumumba also emphasized the educational and physical benefits of maintaining a green environment. She noted that trees contribute to higher oxygen levels, supporting healthy brain function and helping students remain better equipped to learn.
www.EmpiisaEnungi.com
She appreciated the organizers for promoting faith inspired environmental action and coming up with a scalable environmental event that has a sustainability model of forming all generations from the youngest generation. She also uploaded the empiisaenungi.com program that is in line with her work of national guidance, forming youth in morals and culture. She concluded her message call on young people to become responsible environmental stewards, combining education, innovation, and technology to build a greener and more sustainable Uganda for future generations.
