Researchers call for equitable investment in climate change adaptation

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Researchers from Makerere University have called for greater collaboration among stakeholders in the climate change adaptation space to ensure more effective service delivery.

The call was made by Dr Maria Nantongo, the lead researcher and a lecturer in the Department of Applied Economics at Makerere University Business School, during an interview on Monday, April 28, 2025, at her office in Nakawa, Kampala.

It follows findings from a report conducted by Nantongo and her team across nine Eastern African countries, which revealed that most states in the region lack clearly defined investment areas in relation to climate change adaptation.

According to the United Nations, climate change adaptation refers to actions that help reduce vulnerability to the current or expected effects of climate change, such as flooding caused by heavy rains, rising water levels in rivers and lakes, infrastructure destruction, and loss of lives and property.

Nantongo explained that after reviewing 242 climate adaptation projects implemented across the nine countries—Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Somalia, South Sudan, Burundi, Ethiopia, and Eritrea—only those focused on agriculture and water had made significant impacts on communities.

“We found significant efforts being made across the region, particularly in agriculture and water security, but many projects are still concentrated in just a few countries like Kenya,” Nantongo noted.

She added, “To move forward, we must ensure equitable investment across all countries, especially those facing acute vulnerabilities like South Sudan and Somalia. Adaptation must be inclusive, context-specific, and supported by integrated financing and strong institutions.”

Presenting the findings of the report, which was released last week at Athena Hotel in Bugolobi, Nantongo called on governments, development partners, and the private sector to prioritise the equitable distribution of climate adaptation investments, especially in fragile states that remain underfunded.

She further emphasised the need to mainstream climate change adaptation across multiple sectors beyond agriculture and water, including infrastructure, biodiversity, and disaster preparedness, to ensure the sustainability of implemented projects.

The research was jointly conducted by Nantongo and Henry Galiwango, from the School of Education at Makerere University and a consultant with Kilimotrust. It was supported by the Africa Research and Impact Network (ARIN), based in Nairobi, Kenya.

Galiwango, a lead researcher and co-author of the study, stressed the need for closer alignment between project interventions and national policy frameworks.

“We need to stop treating climate adaptation as a series of fragmented projects. The most impactful interventions were those that aligned with national priorities, involved local leadership, and connected sectors, such as linking water, food, and energy systems through the WEFE nexus approach.”