Gov’t reaffirms its commitment to climate action during the symposium on climate change and biodiversity conservation

Government has reiterated its commitment to programs aimed at combating effects of climate change.

The statement was made clear by the minister of state for relief, disaster preparedness and refugees in the office of the Prime Minister Hon. Anyakun Esther Davinia during the symposium on climate change and biodiversity conservation held earlier today at the Uganda museum.

She admitted that there has been a gap in climate change policies but assured environmentalists that government is going to steadily take it up.

“The parliament of Uganda came up with a committee of climate change (a very strong effort for Parliament) so that we should be able to legislate issues on climate change in this country. We have a lot of policies that are being implemented but there has been a gap on climate change issues but Government is taking it up at a higher level so that this missing link could be covered up.”

“To Ugandans, it’s our responsibility to do something that will help us conserve the environment so that the future generation have a country they can happily live in.”

In the past, we witnessed increase in water levels of Lake Victoria, mountain slides in the Elgon and Rwenzori regions, famine and drought in Karamoja, River Nabuyonga in Mbale broke its banks after days of heavy downpour, River Katongo also broke its banks paralyzing transport, these occurances and more have been attributed to changes in climate conditions brought about by human activities like cutting down trees, settling in swamps among others

The minister noted that Government together with partners are having a relocation of over 4,000 beneficiaries from mountainous areas of Elgon

“We are having a relocation pilot study in the Elgon region of about 4,000 beneficiaries being supported by an NGO called Give Direct, which will give 7M to each family and as Government, we will top up 10M and two acres of land to help families relocate. This program will also be taken to other regions across the country.” Anyakun Noted.

She added that this program will help to save lives as well as conserve our environment like it has been witnessed in the recent relocations fastened by giving cash and land to people.

“The previous program, the Bunambutye project that was planned to have around 900 people relocated in 10 years, 6 years down the road, Government has managed to relocate 303 people. The delay has been mostly due to lockdown and slow construction and we thought since the program is ending, let us do something better, give the individuals 17M and land so that they can do work for themselves.” Anyakun said.

Bismac Amumpaire Moses, the team leader of Africa Tourism and Environmental Initiatives (ATEI), the organizers of the Climate Symposium said they will not stop spreading the gospel of climate change so that we inform individuals about climate change, initiate pro-active dialogues, and behavioral changes as well as a sense of empowerment and personal responsibility.

“We do understand that adaptation to climate change requires the conjoint efforts of individuals, youth, academia, community and representatives from other sector and this campaign is effective in bringing all key stakeholders on same page. This awareness campaign will address different groups of people and organization to ensure that everyone understands the impact of climate change and take actions to contribute positively to our climate.” Amumpaire noted.

ATEI has also organized the 2nd Edition of the Climate Change Awareness Marathon which will take place at the Uganda Museum on Sunday 4th June 2023.