Beatrice Anywar, the Minister of State for Water and Environment, has called on stakeholders to collaborate, develop nature-based solutions, and mobilize resources to ensure a sustainable and resilient future for Uganda.
“Uganda is committed to adopting robust action, but we can’t do this alone. We call upon partners to come together and create technology solutions,” she emphasized.
According to Minister Anywar, Uganda is experiencing significant effects of climate change, including extreme weather events like floods and shifting environmental conditions, which have greatly impacted public health by causing various diseases. She stressed the urgency for all stakeholders to work together for the country’s resilient future.
Minister Anywar made these remarks at the official opening of the 2nd National Dialogue on Anticipatory Action in Kampala on Wednesday.
Held under the theme “Navigating Uncertainty: Disaster and Climate Risk Financing,” the two-day event offers stakeholders the opportunity to reflect on the outcomes of the first dialogue, assess progress, share lessons and new developments from the implementation of anticipatory actions in Uganda, and explore opportunities to leverage technology to enhance anticipatory actions.
Anywar also highlighted the need to encourage communities to plant trees, which can both combat climate change and provide economic benefits.
“We talk about helping our people mitigate climate change by planting trees, but we should also sensitize them on which types of trees to plant. We should focus on encouraging communities to plant trees like coffee, from which they can earn money and combat climate change,” she explained.
In his speech, read by Rose Nakabugo, the Assistant Commissioner for Disaster Management at the Office of the Prime Minister, Hon. Hilary Onek noted that the agricultural sector, especially in rural areas, has been greatly affected by climate change.
Consequently, the government has implemented policies that provide platforms for discussing climate change and investing in community resilience projects.
“Most disasters are now predictable because of technology, and this prepares us to take informed action by informing communities and preparing them accordingly,” he noted.
Antonio Querido, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) representative in Uganda, stated that for the country to continue producing food despite adverse weather conditions, a sustainable agri-food system is necessary. He highlighted the negative impact of climate change on food production.
Querido also mentioned that FAO is eager to scale up early warning systems and anticipatory action work in Uganda. He urged a focus on concrete actions, utilizing technology, and ensuring sustainable, adaptable financing to save lives and livelihoods.
“What I see as paramount is the sustainability of the anticipatory action systems. The early warning system can only work with national and community ownership,” he explained.
In November 2023, data collected by the Uganda Red Cross Society indicated that over 2,000 people had been affected by floods. The Red Cross anticipated that the impacts could worsen unless urgent action is taken.
Dr. Brian Kanahe, the Director of Disaster Management at the Uganda Red Cross Society, called on stakeholders to invest before emergencies happen, to forecast finance and emergency funds, and to scale up insurance and technological investments.
With the aim of discussing finance mechanisms tailored to anticipatory action and advocating for their integration into national and regional frameworks, the two-day event was organized by the Government of Uganda, Uganda Red Cross Society, World Food Program, and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, among others.