World Radio Day 2025: Radio Remains a Cost-Effective and Popular Medium in the Fight Against Climate Change in Uganda

 

Today is the World Radio Day 2025. Proclaimed in 2011 by UNESCO Member States and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012 as International Day of the United Nations, February 13 became World Radio Day (WRD). Radio contributes to the achievement of its international objectives by supporting populations through climate disasters such as tropical storms and floods. It helps with the dissemination of fact-based information, listeners’ voices, and dedicated radio shows.

In Uganda, whereas a lot of planning has been done to counter climate change adaptation, adaptation effort still faces several challenges related to implementation. For example, the absence of linkage between climate change adaption and the development agendas is one major constraint. Furthermore, the differentiated impacts of climate change and differentiated access to production resources and inputs by men and women, including extension, information, and climate finance, results in gender-related productivity gaps in agriculture and other sectors.

In 2023, the Pan Africa Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA-Uganda) commissioned a study with case studies in Kikandwa and Kyesiiga sub counties in Mityana and Masaka districts respectively. The Study aimed to document and amplify Ugandan voices in national, regional and international climate change and environmental dialogues and processes, and also to ensure that the resultant frameworks agreed upon at national level are equitable, evidence-based and responds to the realities of vulnerable communities.

In 2012, the Uganda Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment Report (2012) recommended that national programs aimed at improving the country’s adaptation to climate change should be complemented by locally relevant strategies, including building the institutional capacity of key government ministries to improve the production, distribution and use of climate information.

As one of the findings, the PACJA Uganda study found that there is a need for more weather information champions across geographical regions to ensure that communities can access and utilize timely and accurate weather information, an issue which was also highlighted as one of the recommendations in Uganda’s third National Communications to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Noting that the climate information gap affects adaptation capacity amongst communities, respondents in the PACJA Uganda study proposed a need for improved packaging (translate, simplify information to make it understandable; public sensitization on importance of climate information and how it is generated; provision of more accurate, reliable, targeted climate information and data.
 

The use of radio comes in handy to implement these solutions, as it is widely used across the country, it is a cheap option compared to other possibilities like face-to-face meetings, and reaches out to all age groups.

In fact, the latest Uganda National Population and Housing Census (2024) shows that 41 percent of Uganda’s households owned a radio compared to 23.1 percent who own a television. This means that radio remains a cost effective and popular medium in the fight against climate change.

 

Making Biodiversity a Priority in Peru, Nepal & Uganda through Analog Forestry

Analog Forestry (AF) is a system of ecological restoration that focuses on increasing biodiversity by imitating natural forest systems in order to create economically productive and environmentally mature forests. It increases the biodiversity and ecological resilience of a landscape by making use of natural ecological succession and forest functions, consequently strengthening rural livelihoods. 

Inspired by the forest gardens of Asia and similar practices around the world, in the late 1980s, Dr. Ranil Senanayake started developing and applying the concept of AF in Sri Lanka to create ecosystems similar or “analogous” to original forests that meet the economic needs of farmers.

According to the International Analog Forestry Network (IAFN), analog forestry is a pathway towards locally led climate change adaptation and mitigation, gender and social justice and transforming our food production systems. In December 2024, the IAFN in collaboration with its partner in Uganda, Peru and Nepal launched a book titled, ‘Biodiversity is a priority. Community-led landscape restoration applying Analog Forestry - Stories from Peru, Nepal and Uganda’. 

This book presents three case studies which aim to demonstrate and showcase Analog Forestry as a gender-just climate and biodiversity solution that ensures critical ecosystems protection and restoration centered on principles of equity and care for people and planet. According to the Book, IAFN partners - Kikandwa Environmental Association (KEA) and Rural Development Media Communications (RUDMEC), based in the Mityana and Sironko districts, respectively, have promoted ecosystem regeneration through the Analog Forestry approach with notable benefits in Uganda. They have been working towards regenerating degraded forest landscapes, heightening community stewardship of their remnant natural forests, and conserving indigenous species of plants for medicinal, agricultural and other purposes, as well as improving livelihoods.

In Mityana (Kikandwa subcounty), KEA introduced Analog Forestry and now more than 20 households are practicing it. In Sironko (Greater Buhugu), after training by KEA in 2019, up to 30 households are practicing Analog Forestry. Its introduction was mainly due to an interest in regenerating landscape ecology for Mityana, Sironko, Bulambuli and Mukono, given that many communities are farmers with diverse tree products and service-related needs. In addition, population pressures in Sironko and Bulambuli limit farm sizes and farmers embrace all options, including Analog Forestry, to maximize yields (food and cash crops like Arabica coffee).

In Sironko, farmers have integrated trees into their banana and Arabica coffee farms and reported better yields. This was an earlier practice that had been abandoned. Trees are an important part of the household economy since they provide firewood and charcoal. But the scarcity of firewood and charcoal (with a sack of charcoal going for about 110,000 UgShs or 30USD) has resulted in theft and conflicts over use of the trees on individual plots. In Sironko and Bulambuli, sacred indigenous trees and other herbs are planted and conserved for cultural, medicinal, food, and other purposes. For example Markamia lutea is an important tree in the Imbalu (a manhood initiation and circumcision ceremony for young boys).

Analog Forestry is a practical option for restoring degraded land and increasing the adaptive capacity of vulnerable communities to climate change by incorporating sustainable land management approaches at the local level in line with Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) targets 2 (Restoring 30% of all Degraded Ecosystems), 8 (Minimize the Impacts of Climate Change on Biodiversity and Building Resilience), 10 (Enhancing Biodiversity and Sustainability in Agriculture, Aquaculture, Fisheries, and Forestry), and 23 (Ensure Gender Equality and a Gender-Responsive Approach for Biodiversity Action). Though issues of land ownership and size are a constraint, demand already exceeds supply for tree products and services. In order to conserve biodiversity, including agri-biodiversity, sufficient responsiveness is needed to curb further loss.

Read the Book: ‘Biodiversity is a priority. Community-led landscape restoration applying Analog Forestry -Stories from Peru, Nepal and Uganda’ 

Climate Action Project Harvests Political Leaders’ Attention to Make Nebbi District Green

On Tuesday December 12, 2024, we held a project exit meeting for the Climate Action for Improved and Sustainable Livelihoods (CAISL) Project that has been implemented by Joint Energy and Environment Projects, Uganda Coalition for Sustainable Development (UCSD) in partnership with the Nordic Folkecentre for Renewable Energy with support from CISU Denmark in Nebbi District from July 2023 – December 2024.

Against the backdrop of a harsh weather is Nebbi right now (temperature check is 29degC at lunch time) climate action is not something to sweep under the carpet. Whereas the transition from the rainy to the dry season is happening, it is now sharp rather than gradual. As Mr. Ojukwu Richard, the District Environment Officer noted,’ the sudden hot weather is quite unusual, though we have just come out a heavy rainy season’.

Similarly, Mr. Owachgin Donald - the Assistant Resident District Commissioner – Nebbi district in his remarks, cautioned the meeting participants about the effects of the current hot weather, where people cannot close houses at night.

Mr. Okello Geoffrey Anecho - the Vice Chairman LC 5 for Nebbi district urged participants to work on changing people’s mindsets to address the current level of environmental degradation. He also appreciated the CAISAL project for supporting the two schools in Atego and Padwot subcounties with lights that have enhanced learning and enrollment rates.

At the start of the meeting Kimbowa Richard, UCSD who moderated the meeting thanked all the partners for working together to realize the achievements made. He also relayed a written message of appreciation and encouragement to the meeting participants and Nebbi District Local Government from Lene Hogh on behalf of the Nordic Folkecenter for Renewable Energy.

Afterwards Mr. Mark Tumusiime from JEEP gave an overview of the CAISL project overview and achievements, which was followed by a feedback session where participants shared their experiences and views on the Project. Participants noted the need to document the good stories from the CAISL project for future reference and inspiration, but appreciated the diverse innovative ways of reaching out to communities including the Training of Trainers (ToT) approach, the energy hubs, radio talk shows and community drives. They also agreed with Mark on the many of the challenges noted including cultural barriers, and the scarcity of firewood in the district that is pushing people to cut trees including the roots in order to meet the rising demand for firewood.

Zeus Misagga and Mark Tumusiime (JEEP) then introduced the sustainability ideas and next steps which centred on upholding the ToT approach through linking them to other partners that work in the area, further providing them with training opportunities like the Skills Development for Climate Action (SDCA) Project (July 2024 – June 2026) that JEEP is implementing. Also, they highlighted the potential for the two tree nurseries supported, to be linked to existing demand - institutions that are in need of tree seedlings including NGOs, business entities like Banks that organize tree planting events in the region.

It was rewarding listening to the feedback from Nebbi district technical and political leaders on their interface with the CAISL project, and their interest to sustain this intervention as much as they can. As we ended the meeting, my perception was that there was general feeling to have the CAISL project concept scaled up in another phase, to other parts of West Nile and for a longer period than the 18 months in which the CAISL project was implemented.

UN Habitat Unveils Report on What Urban Areas can Do to Address the Existential Threat Posed by Climate Change

 

Summary: World Cities Report 2024 underscores the necessity for climate action to be participatory and community-led, urging the development of locally appropriate solutions that address the unique needs of residents, particularly in informal settlements and low-income neighborhoods that have often been side-lined in decision-making processes

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) has unveiled its latest World Cities Report titled: Cities and Climate Action, focusing on the pressing challenges posed by climate change and rapid urbanization. The Report has been released to coincide with the twelfth session of the World Urban Forum that is taking place in Cairo, Egypt, 4 - 8 November 2024. The report warns that over 2 billion city dwellers could face an additional temperature increase of at least 0.5 degrees Celsius by 2040.

The World Cities Report 2024 provides a greater understanding of the role that urban areas can play addressing the existential threat posed by climate change. The Report explores how urban areas can be positioned to take effective action towards achieving the Paris Agreement of limiting global warming to 1.5°C and adapting to the impacts of climate change by building resilience across a wide range of dimensions.

In a Foreword to the Report, the UN Secretary General notes that: ‘When buildings, homes and vital infrastructure like water and transportation systems are poorly planned, built and managed, they are no match for climate-fueled disasters like rising seas, heat waves, and other extreme weather impacts. This challenge disproportionately affects the poorest and most vulnerable people’

‘What is clear is that climate change is already upon us. For those city dwellers caught on the frontline of the various catastrophes playing out in cities—houses destroyed by cyclones, roads melted by extreme heat, entire settlements inundated in flood water—denial or delay is not an option. We already have the solutions to act, should we so wish’, Anacláudia Rossbach Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director UH Habitat provides hope in the Report’s Introduction.

Four key issues underpin the framing of the Report: the urgency of action given the devastating impacts of climate change as witnessed in different parts of the world; the reinvigorated role of urban areas in addressing the climate crisis given their unique characteristics; the implementation of effective and inclusive climate action that cities and communities can take to address the scourge of climate change; and the people-centred nature of climate action.

The Report emphasizes implementation of effective climate action that cities and human settlements in diverse contexts can realistically take to address climate change. In other words, how can cities drive climate action? The Report identifies persistent bottlenecks to implementation and critically interrogates why the needle on climate action in cities is not moving as it should, given the devastating impacts of climate change.

The World Cities Report 2024 advances a people-centred approach to climate action, ably supported by nature-based solutions. This approach promotes effective and inclusive climate action as a framework for building climate resilience in urban areas. People, especially vulnerable groups, must be at the centre of any meaningful climate action. The World Cities Report 2024 offers clear policy directions to build resilience to climate change across multiple dimensions in urban areas. To prevent climate action from entrenching existing inequalities and vulnerabilities among urban population, the World Cities Report 2024 advocates for a just climate transition.

Renewable Energy Conference 2024 and Expo Should Reflect on Realities of ‘Tiny Actions’ With a Cumulative Impact

 

From 31st October to the 2nd of November, 2024, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, in partnership with the National Renewable Energy Platform (NREP), will host the Renewable Energy Conference & EXPO (REC24 & EXPO) at the Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort in Kampala, Uganda. The event will consist of high level discussions, energy financing, technology development and deployment, knowledge management, research, capacity building and communities of practice, policy, planning, standards and markets.

The theme of REC24 & EXPO: ‘Transforming Livelihoods through Clean Energy Access’ is well-timed to reflect on. This is because the Uganda’s energy sector is undergoing policy changes while institutional reforms are anticipated in future. Whereas these are commendable policy milestones, the devil is in the detail – how they will these be translated into tangible, time-bound actions?

‘Transforming Livelihoods Through Clean Energy Access’ is a loud voice calling for an equal response to meet the needs of the a (youthful) population in dire need of basic needs and (green) jobs, that are motivated by energy ‘hotspots’ in rural areas. For example, through addressing the deficit in energy for lighting where majority of households (52 per cent) are reported in the Uganda National Population and Housing Census 2024 to be using Tadooba (local paraffin candle) as the main source while only about 20 per cent used electricity. Action here can unlock economic, public health improvement and social transformation

Though it could be taken lightly, possession of kitchens is still a challenge much as it defines where, how, what, when and how to cook. TheUganda National Population and Housing Census 2024 Report has also noted that overall, about half of the households (51 per cent) used outside built kitchens while 25 per cent used open space. More households in rural areas (56 per cent) cooked outside in built up kitchens compared to households in urban areas (34 Per cent). This has implications on household energy efficiency and related investment decisions at that level.

Read the full article in the East African SusWatch INFORSE East Africa E bulletin (September 2024)

World Cleanup Day: Dealing with Blisters of Plastic Litter in Nebbi (West Nile region, Uganda)

 

On 8 December 2023, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) officially established World Clean-up Day in its resolution A/78/122, to be annually observed on 20 September.

The resolution welcomes the contribution of World Clean-up Day activities to date to addressing the environmental challenges associated with waste management by mobilizing people globally to participate in coordinated voluntary action, empowering collaboration, and raising broad awareness of the need to reduce waste pollution tangibly.

Over the years, many national, regional and local governments and communities have been undertaking clean-up activities globally. World Clean-up Day represents the reflection on their achievements. The clean-ups serve as a reminder of the collective responsibility we share in preserving and maintaining a clean and healthy environment as well as sustainable waste and resources management.

Despite these efforts, the impact of single use plastics in many parts of the world is huge but not yet fully understood. For example, in Nebbi district (West Nile region of Uganda) while local level clean-up efforts are being undertaken at community level, poor waste management especially the single use plastic bags and used plastic bottles in many trading centres chock drainage channels and farmlands, among other negative effects.

In April 2024, Joint Energy and Environment Projects (JEEP) and Uganda Coalition for Sustainable Development (UCSD) that are currently implementing the Climate Action for Improved and Sustainable Livelihoods (CAISL) Project in Nebbi District, were prompted to issue a joint civil society statement that called for a more nuanced national level action on single use plastics and used plastic bottles in order to back up community clean up exercises conducted in Nebbi and elsewhere in Uganda. Currently plastics make up a significant fraction of what is collected. Though this is partly reused in the community, a significant amount is burnt in the ‘open’ as the only ‘viable’ option.

Sustainable Development Goal 11: Life on Sustainable Cities and Communities aim to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. Target 11.6 specifically calls for reduction in the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management by 2030.

World Clean-up Day aims to mobilise people globally to participate in coordinated voluntary action, empowering collaboration, and raising broad awareness of the need to reduce waste pollution tangibly. Further, it serves as a powerful reminder of the collective responsibility we share in preserving and maintaining a clean and healthy environment. Its inaugural commemoration will be observed on Friday 20 September 2024 in Tromsø, Norway.

World Food Day 2024: Celebrating 20 Years of the Right to Food Guidelines, But Is Ending Hunger & Food Insecurity Remain a Pipe Dream in Africa?

The World Food Day is celebrated on October 16 every year. The theme for this year is Right to foods for a better life and a better future. 

In addition, the international community this year celebrates an important milestone in the human right to adequate food - the 20th anniversary of the “Voluntary Guidelines to Support the Progressive Realization of the Right to Adequate Food in the Context of National Food Security also known as the Right to Food Guidelines’

The Voluntary Guidelines to support the Progressive Realization of the Right to Adequate Food in the Context of National Food Security were adopted by the FAO in 2004, with the aim of guiding states to implement the right to food. It is not legally binding, but directed to states' obligations to the right to food under international law

At the World Food Summit that took place in Rome in 1996, governments reaffirmed the right to food and committed themselves to halve the number of hungry and malnourished from 840 to 420 million by 2015. The Summit declaration noted as ‘intolerable that more than 800 million people throughout the world, and particularly in developing countries, do not have enough food to meet their basic nutritional needs. The situation is unacceptable’.

But the recently released State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2024 (SOFI 2024) report, published by FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP, and WHO, noted that six years from 2030, hunger and food insecurity trends are not yet moving in the right direction to end hunger and food insecurity (SDG Target 2.1) by 2030. The indicators of progress towards global nutrition targets similarly show that the world is not on track to eliminate all forms of malnutrition (SDG Target 2.2). 

Billions of people still lack access to nutritious, safe and sufficient food. For example, the SOFI 2024 report warns that one out of every five people in Africa is facing hunger.

Furthermore, in Africa, Asia and South America - continents with the biggest food-related problems, not only is there shortage of food and lack of infrastructure but also mal-distribution and inadequate access to food. 

For example, according to FAO, while world’s farmers produce enough food to feed more than the global population yet, hunger persists. Around 733 million people are facing hunger in the world due to repeated weather shocks, conflicts, economic downturns, inequality, and the COVID19 pandemic. This impacts the poor and vulnerable most severely, many of whom are agricultural households. This is turn unwraps efforts to address widening inequalities and other global goals across and within countries. 

Therefore, on the occasion of the World Food Day 2024, the FAO call to governments for enhanced global commitment to the right to adequate food for all including through sustainable, fair and transformed agri-food systems, is more than urgent.

Read the full article from the East African INFORSE East Africa E bulletin, August 2024