Ugandan Youth Demand Dedicated Green Fund for Climate Action

Young climate leaders in Uganda are advocating for the creation of a specific green fund to empower their efforts in combating climate change. During a recent workshop in Kampala focused on youth climate leadership and solutions, activists highlighted significant challenges in accessing climate finance, technical knowledge, and policy-making platforms.

Jemimah Babirye Kasibbo, Programme Manager at Green Africa Youth Organisation (GAYO) Uganda, stressed the need for targeted financial mechanisms for youth-led environmental projects and green job initiatives. She noted that existing climate funds are often inaccessible to young people, leading to the abandonment of promising projects in areas like carbon initiatives, policy advocacy, and sustainable agriculture.

Kasibbo also cautioned against superficial inclusion, stating that current efforts often amount to mere tokenism, failing to integrate youth meaningfully into long-term climate strategies. She emphasized that while young people are eager to contribute, many lack the necessary technical skills to scale and sustain their environmental endeavors.

To address this, Kasibbo called for increased investment in climate education and practical skills training. Furthermore, she urged authorities to enforce stricter regulations on deforestation, industrial pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions, which are primary drivers of environmental degradation in Uganda.

Environmentalist Prossy Namutebi echoed these concerns, proposing the integration of climate action into the primary school curriculum to foster early awareness. She also pointed out the need to improve strategic climate communication, policy engagement, climate justice, and understanding of carbon markets and sustainable farming.

Emmanuel Muliisa from the Ministry of Water and Environment acknowledged the vital role of young innovators in building Uganda’s resilience to climate-related disasters. He expressed the ministry’s commitment to fostering partnerships between government resource mobilization and youth-led climate projects, suggesting that a portion of climate change mitigation and adaptation funds should support these green youth businesses.

The call for direct resource allocation comes at a time when regions like Karamoja are severely impacted by climate change, facing food insecurity due to erratic rainfall and drought. While government funding for the environment sector is substantial, direct access for youth organizations remains a significant hurdle. In the FY2026/27 budget, the government allocated over Shs1 trillion to the Water, Sanitation and Environment sector, with specific funds for wetland and forest restoration, and disaster mitigation, though the pathway for youth engagement is still being defined.

This information is based on reporting from the Daily Monitor.