I was delighted to preside over the closing ceremony of the 2nd Schools’ Electric Cooking Competition at #REC2026, where I presented awards to outstanding students and schools following three days of exciting competition showcasing creativity, teamwork and innovation in modern cooking. Congratulations to all the winners and participants for demonstrating how young people can be powerful drivers of Uganda’s clean cooking transition. I commend the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development and the National Renewable Energy Platform (NREP), with support from the UK Government through the Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) programme, for championing this remarkable initiative. By using electric pressure cookers to prepare familiar family meals efficiently and sustainably, our students demonstrated the potential of innovation in advancing clean cooking. I call upon schools, parents and partners to sustain this momentum by nurturing young innovators, promoting practical learning and empowering students to champion clean cooking in their communities. #CleanCooking #YouthEmpowerment #REC2026

I was pleased to join the National Planning Authority and the African Peer Review Mechanism National and Continental Secretariats for a high-level institutional consultation in preparation for the Africa Governance Report 2027. Centered on the theme “Youth Leadership in Entrepreneurship, Industry, and the Public Sector,” this engagement highlighted the vital role of key stakeholders in refining policy frameworks and expanding strategic opportunities for young people across the continent. My sincere gratitude goes to the leadership of the NPA and APRM Secretariats for championing this vital cause; empowering youth through meaningful participation, robust public-private partnerships, and institutionalized leadership remains a cornerstone of our commitment to achieving inclusive, sustainable governance and long-term socio-economic prosperity.