Children fight back as climate change wreaks havoc on Kasese schools

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The classrooms of Kasese’s primary schools are becoming battle zones against climate change. 

At Mulongoti Primary School on September 14, 2025, students gathered to recount stories of floods, landslides and scorching heat that have affected their lives and education. 

Thirteen-year-old Priscinia Kabugho opened up about the 2022 landslide in her village of Kasika: “My uncle, his two children and grandmother died in the same house. We’re still haunted by grief.”

For Parik Bwambale, 13, the 2024 floods swallowed his family’s home. “River Nyamwamba invaded Kasese municipality while we were in the garden. Everything was gone.”

Praise Musoki Kugonza said extreme heat disrupts learning, with the afternoon sun making the rooms unbearable.  

Kasese district disaster focal person Joseph Isingoma outlined the toll: ​Since 1996, climate disasters have killed 56 people, destroyed 217 km of roads, and displaced 1,500 residents into IDP camps. The worst struck in 2022 with 16 lives lost, including Kabugho’s relatives, and many remain stranded in camps.

One of the pupils making a gesture with Chief guest, Joseph Isingoma, the Kasese district disaster focal person, demonstrating to the general public to stop speaking, but rather plant trees. (Credit: Samuel Amanyire)

Barriers to survival

The learners called for solutions to what they termed as systemic failures.

Stuart Asiimawe Kambere accused the government of failing to enforce environmental laws because of corruption.

Zephus Mumbere Praise pointed to the scarcity of water and suitable tree species for reforestation: "How can we plant trees if we lack water and seeds?”

They made the remarks during a training organised by Plant-for-the-Planet and IDEAS-For-Us Uganda.

Movement rooted in schools

Plant-for-the-Planet’s Isaac Sinamakosa emphasised the power of youth action, saying, “children aren’t just victims—they’re leaders. They mobilise peers, plant trees, and push adults to act.”

Sinamakosa said their organisations empower children and youths with knowledge to take a lead in the fight against climate change.

"Children mobilise their peers to participate in climate talks, trainings, restore forests and plant trees in new areas, engage their parents and leaders to support them for a safe future," Sinamakosa said.

The training launched Kasese’s first Plant-for-the-Planet Academy, recruiting 61 pupils from four schools to join a global network of 100,000 climate justice ambassadors. 

“A mosquito can’t stop a rhino alone, but thousands of mosquitoes can change its course,” Sinamakosa said.

Isingoma, who also sits on the Kasese district disaster management committee, revealed that over the years, they have enhanced awareness and capacity of the community members about disasters, rehabilitated some destroyed infrastructures, especially bridges and roads, by implementing the government's legal and policy framework.