Uganda seeks ‘win-win’ solutions as livestock emissions come under focus

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Scientists and policymakers are intensifying efforts to address greenhouse gas emissions from Uganda’s livestock sector, with new research highlighting the need to balance environmental concerns with farmers’ livelihoods.

Researchers say livestock manure, widely used as a natural fertiliser, also represents a significant source of emissions, particularly nitrous oxide, underscoring the urgency of improving how it is managed.

The issue came into focus during a two-day Livestock Monitoring, Reporting and Verification capacity-building workshop held at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel on April 8, 2026. The event, supported by the World Bank in partnership with the Government of Uganda, brought together scientists and sector stakeholders to examine emission sources, targeted interventions, and data gaps, and to chart a way forward for reducing the country’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Group disscussion with MAAIF, World Bank officials during the Stake Holder engagement at Sheration Hotel in Kampala on April 8, 2026. (Photo by David Lukiiza)

Dr Ibrahim Wanyama, a scientist at the International Livestock Research Institute, said his work focuses on generating data to support Uganda’s climate reporting obligations under the Paris Agreement.

“Manure is an important resource. It can be used to fertilise our soils, but it also has negative environmental impacts, as it is one of the major sources of greenhouse gas emissions in Uganda,” Dr Wanyama said.

He noted that ongoing studies in southwestern Uganda are examining how farmers manage manure from cattle, goats, and sheep, with the aim of identifying practical improvements that can enhance soil fertility while reducing emissions.

“Farmers are not interested in greenhouse gas emissions, so we are looking at how they can manage manure in ways that improve its fertiliser quality while reducing emissions,” he said.

Among the solutions being explored are composting, covering manure, and innovative practices such as rearing worms on manure to produce protein-rich animal feed.

“We are coming up with technologies that benefit farmers but also reduce greenhouse gas emissions—it’s a win-win,” he added.

Dr Wanyama also cautioned that poorly managed manure can carry disease-causing pathogens, calling for safer handling practices that improve both environmental and public health outcomes.

Fixing data gaps

At the policy level, Uganda is working to strengthen its systems for measuring and reporting emissions, particularly from livestock.

Prof. Samuel Majalija of the National Agricultural Research Organisation said climate change is already affecting households, agriculture, and land systems across the country, prompting a shift towards climate-smart practices.

“Climate change is affecting everybody… at household level, agriculture level, and the land in general,” he said.

He revealed that the National Agricultural Research Organisation is leading efforts under a World Bank-funded project to develop a national measurement, reporting, and verification system to track emissions more accurately.

Currently, Uganda relies on global estimates to quantify emissions from livestock, particularly methane produced by ruminant animals such as cattle, sheep, and goats during digestion.

“We don’t have [a system] in place… right now we are going to determine how much it is,” Prof. Majalija said.

The research is also expected to guide farmers on improved livestock management practices, including better feeding and reduced animal movement, both of which can help lower emissions.

“When animals feed on rough grass and move a lot, they emit more gases… we are trying to see how we can minimise this,” he said.

Climate finance prospects

Meanwhile, development partners say strengthening data systems is critical for Uganda to meet its climate targets and potentially unlock climate financing.

Merel Moleman, a researcher with the World Bank, said Uganda is seeking to move from basic “tier one” emission estimates to more accurate, data-driven “tier two” methods.

Current estimates place Uganda among the region’s largest emitters in the agriculture and food sector, but these figures remain broad and require refinement.

“The goal is to move to more accurate estimates and build a system that can measure, report, and verify emissions reductions,” Moleman said.

She added that a credible measurement, reporting, and verification system could enable Uganda to access climate finance tied to verified emission reductions, although such mechanisms are still in early stages.

“If the money flows back to the farmers, that will be amazing, but we’re not there yet,” she said.

Drawing lessons from the region, Bernard Kimoro of Kenya’s Ministry of Agriculture said reducing emissions does not necessarily require cutting livestock numbers, but improving productivity and management.

“In most countries, the easiest option is reducing livestock numbers. But we have gone beyond that,” he said.

Kenya has instead focused on improving feed quality and animal productivity, which lowers emissions per unit of output while maintaining farmers’ incomes.

“If we improve milk production, we reduce emissions per kilogram of milk,” Kimoro said.

He emphasised the importance of strong data systems and institutional coordination, noting that Uganda could replicate similar progress with the right technical capacity and stakeholder alignment.