Powah Limited, a Ugandan off grid solar energy startup will Saturday host businessmen, government officials, and other professionals to a cocktail event aimed at raising funds to improve livelihood in refugee settlements in the country.

Named Powah Cocktail, the event will be held at Torino restaurant in Kololo, Kampala and all the proceeds will go towards providing solar lighting to Bidibidi refugee camp in North Western Uganda.

The camp houses over 274,000 South Sudanese refugees who fled the country following the civil war that broke out in June last year.

In total, Uganda hosts over 1 million refugees, most of whom are from war-ravaged South Sudan.

The fundraiser is being spearheaded by Esteeri Kabonero, the founding director of Powah Limited together with her other counterparts.

According to Esteeri, the lack of energy access in such areas as refugee settlements leads to damaging effects in the community.

“Violence against women, health deterioration, and environmental deforestation are just some of the problems faced when power is inaccessible in the settlement,” said Esteeri in a document extended to The Tower Post.

According to a UNCHR study “women in Ugandan refugee settlements must often trade sex for charcoal to satisfy their household energy needs.

“By providing women with energy access in these communities we are able to empower thousands of refugee women, who see no other alternative to receiving the energy they so desperately need,” added Esteeri.

The Saturday evening event will feature a number of activities including runway models from Thirty Fashion and will be hosted by comedian Daniel Omara.