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.