What if we reimagined energy access, not merely as connecting households to electricity, but as a catalyst for transforming livelihoods, stimulating rural enterprise, strengthening food systems and unlocking local economic opportunities? This was the central theme throughout our engagement at the United Nations' "Delivering as One" Side Event, convened on the sidelines of the Renewable Energy Conference (REC 2026) at Kampala Serena Hotel. I also had the humbling privilege of facilitating this important and timely engagement. A particularly significant milestone was the launch of the Framework for Establishing Community Green Energy Zones (CGEZ) at the parish level, under the Parliamentarians for Climate Finance (PCF) Project, for which I am privileged to serve as National Coordinator in Uganda. Uganda's energy transition must extend beyond expanding electricity connections. We must deliberately link renewable energy investments to productive economic activity, particularly in rural communities where energy poverty continues to constrain agricultural productivity, enterprise development and economic opportunity. The Community Green Energy Zones approach presents a promising pathway towards this transformation: positioning energy as an enabler of localised wealth creation, while connecting community development priorities with public policy, private investment and climate finance. Our discussions brought together representatives from Government, UN agencies, financial institutions, development partners and the private sector to explore three interconnected priorities: ⚡ Productive energy use: Powering agricultural value chains, agro-processing, irrigation and rural industrialisation. ⚡ An inclusive energy transition: Accelerating clean cooking solutions, decentralised electrification and last-mile energy access, particularly for women, children and underserved communities. ⚡ Mobilising investment: Developing bankable opportunities, mitigating investment risks and unlocking public, private and blended finance for community-centred energy development. I am particularly grateful to colleagues at the Climate Parliament, @UNIDO , @FAOUganda @UNDPUganda , @unwomenuganda and the wider UN family, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (@MEMD_Uganda ), alongside our partners and stakeholders, for their collective commitment to advancing this agenda. The future of renewable energy in Uganda must be productive, inclusive, locally anchored and investment-driven. And what better place to begin than at the parish level?