Uganda needs to mitigate climate change

Government should prioritise and increase climate change action funding at the different levels of government. The office of National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) focal person and local government environment taskforce continue to be under funded yet they are expected to oversee environmental protection activities in entire district.

Towns and peri-urban areas seem to be more affected and forgotten. Population far exceeds the infrastructure capacity, leading to the deterioration of the urban environment. The authorities have not taken tangible action or invested in mitigation and adaptation measures. For example, there is continuous environmental degradation and pollution in Kampala and Wakiso, which include solid waste, abattoir waste, sewage, sanitation, drainage, industrial pollution, plastic and traffic pollution, atmospheric pollution, urban agriculture, soil dumping in wetlands and land-filling, rapid and unplanned urbanisation and water hyacinth.

In the past, little climate adaptation financing was directed towards the rural areas. Nevertheless recently, during national celebrations to mark 2019 World Wetlands Day at Limoto Primary School in Pallisa District, the government in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched a $44.3m project.

The project is funded by the Green Climate Fund to support building resilient communities and ecosystems through restoration of wetlands and attendant catchments and will be implemented in 24 districts of eastern and southwestern Uganda.

In order to achieve sustained ecological restoration, government and implementing partners should be ready to handle challenges that face such projects namely: lack of clarity on institutional mandates, roles and responsibilities, lack of grassroots community involvement, corruption and political interference. The local governments in the benefitting districts need to be involved because they play a leadership role.

Further policy attention should aim at constructive engagement in the design and implementation of programs that can receive funding. There can be emphasis on accountability for effective use of climate finance and improving the effectiveness and equitable distribution of funding for climate change adaptation in the entire country.

There is opportunity to engage and empower grassroots women and youth groups to act on climate change to achieve sustainable development. They have vast knowledge and experience to participate fully in deciding climate change action; especially in turning the tide on land use.

We all have a responsibility to make better environmental choices in our own homes, at work, and on the means of travel. Without a doubt, industrialists, religious and cultural leaders, politicians, the media and business owners play a central role in the protection of environment. It will take everybody’s involvement and contribution to tackle the scourge of climate change.

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The writer is Executive Director of Citizens’ Concern Africa-CICOA

andrew.mafundo@citizensconcernafrica.org