Antonio Querido, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Country Representative in Uganda appealed to concerted efforts involving farmers, traders, regulators, and the government to ensure that consumers access safe food.
The meeting, which brought together a range of stakeholders, including MDAs, manufacturers, and conservationists, started calmly. However, tensions rose during the reactions and input phase, as participants discussed Uganda’s stance at the upcoming conference.
Guterres urged developed economies to commit to new financing for the Loss and Damage Fund, noting that its initial capitalization of USD 700 million is insufficient in light of the escalating climate crisis. “The creation of the Loss and Damage Fund is a victory for developing countries, for multilateralism, and justice. But its initial capitalization of $700 million doesn’t come close to righting the wrong inflicted on the vulnerable,” Guterres said.
Patrick Owori, Executive Director of the Human Rights and Environmental Concerns Activists (HURECA), which is part of CSBAG, noted that local governments lack structured climate financing strategies, especially in safeguarding protected areas in Busoga and Bukedi. He pointed out that the sub-regions are known for rice farming in wetlands, and without deliberate financial support for alternative livelihoods, it is difficult to convince encroachers to leave these areas.
Xavier Ejoyi, the Country Director for ActionAid Uganda, criticized the government for funneling substantial amounts of public money into environmentally harmful practices through subsidies, tax breaks, and free land allocations.
In Uganda, climate change-related disasters, including floods, landslides, windstorms, and hailstorms, account for over 70% of natural disasters, destroying an average of 800,000 hectares of crops and resulting in economic losses exceeding UGX 120 billion annually.
For years, the West, including financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank have been accused of making policies that further impoverish nations, exacerbate inequality, and keep the borrowing nations heavily indebted.
"If any or all the risks materialize, there may be additional pressures on public finances, which might prompt additional borrowing and a consequent rise in public debt, or budget cuts and reallocations," says Kasaija
With various climate-related issues increasingly evident, Mundulu believes it's imperative to advance the climate change narrative. However, she stresses the importance of adapting global processes to suit local contexts. She asserts that events like COP28 meetings hold significance for communities, underscoring the need to integrate global discussions into local frameworks effectively.
Gaster Kiyingi, the Executive Director of Tree Talk Plus, expressed concern over the prolonged delay in finalizing and implementing the forest policy, stressing its significance in mitigating biodiversity loss and fostering economic development.
For the past eight years, Stanbic Bank Uganda has hosted secondary school debate competitions known as the Stanbic National School Championship. The competition aims to identify and promote talent, stimulate innovation, and recognize the best innovative idea with significant business sense and societal impact.
This initiative aims to safeguard heritage, particularly the culturally significant Kiganda fabric alias Lubugo made from the Mutuba Tree, while also addressing environmental concerns such as climate change.
Uganda which holds the position of Chair of the Group of 77 and China (G77 +China) is being represented by State Minister for Environment, Beatrice Anywar.
President Museveni told the opening of the G77+China Heads of State Summit on Sunday, that while many countries are trying to meet the Agenda 2030, many are faced with challenges that are drawing them back, including climate disasters, unfair treatment in the glob financial industry and other actions of developed countries.
URN has learned that several agencies and individuals are considering the importation of Electric Vehicles but they cannot because there is no standard on what type of charging stations be imported.
Available statistics show that wetland coverage in Uganda has dropped from 37,346.3 Sq. Km in 1994 (15.5 percent) to 21,526.3 Sq.Km which is an 8.9 percent decrease. There is also a projection indicating that if the destruction trends are not checked, Uganda will be left with only 1.6 percent of wetlands cover by 2040.
Thunberg was speaking directly to dozens of Heads of State and Government, business leaders, and senior representatives from civil society from around the world, who lined up to promise far-reaching steps to beat climate change, at the day-long event, held at the Organization’s New York headquarters on Monday.
