Uganda launches project to bolster climate resilience, food systems
Speaking at the launch, Nabakooba said climate change continues to threaten livelihoods, food security and economic growth through prolonged droughts, floods, land degradation and escalating conflicts over natural resources.
Uganda's economy is largely dependent on agriculture. (New Vision/file)
The Ugandan government has launched a three-year initiative aimed at strengthening food systems, improving land governance and building climate resilience among farming and pastoral communities.
The Accelerating Food Systems Transformation for Resilience to Climate Change in Africa project was launched by lands minister Judith Nabakooba on Thursday (August 6) during a national inception workshop at Protea Hotel in Entebbe.
The initiative is supported by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and other development partners.
Under the project, Uganda will assess four priority areas: land tenure security, livestock value chains, index-based livestock insurance and climate-land information systems.
Speaking at the launch, Nabakooba said climate change continues to threaten livelihoods, food security and economic growth through prolonged droughts, floods, land degradation and escalating conflicts over natural resources.
She said Uganda, whose economy is largely dependent on agriculture, must strengthen the resilience of its food systems by addressing challenges beyond agricultural production.
“Resilient food systems require secure land rights, reliable climate information, sound policies and strong institutions working together."
The lands ministry joined the initiative because land governance is central to sustainable development and climate adaptation.
Secure land tenure encourages investment, boosts agricultural productivity, reduces land-related conflicts and enables communities to better adapt to the effects of climate change.
“These efforts are essential for protecting land rights while supporting agricultural transformation, climate resilience and sustainable investment."
Nabakooba called on participants at the inception workshop to critically review the project’s implementation framework to ensure its approaches reflect Uganda’s realities and development priorities.
She underscored the need for close collaboration among government agencies, local governments, research institutions, development partners, civil society organisations and the private sector to ensure successful implementation.
“The findings from this project should not remain on paper. They should inform better policies, guide future investments and strengthen decision-making at both national and local levels."
The government pledged to work closely with development partners throughout the project’s implementation to strengthen land tenure security, improve climate-land information systems, enhance evidence-based policymaking and build national capacity to respond to climate-related challenges.