EU injects over sh16b to support Uganda's climate change mitigation efforts
Apr 24, 2024
During the pilot phase, the EU injected sh2.2b ($600,000) into the pilot phase of districts such as Kasese, Nebbi, Nwoya, and Zombo, Kumumanya said.
Ben Kumumanya the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Local Government appending his signature onto the Local Climate Adaptive Living (LoCAL) facility mechanism board as they expand the mechanism to other districts. (Photo by Simon Peter Tumwine)
Simon Peter Tumwine
Journalist @New Vision
____________________ Ben Kumumanya the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Local Government sharing a light moment with Alfred Okot Okidi the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Water and Environment at Mestil Hotel, Nsambya on April 23 during the Local Climate Adaptive Living (LoCAL) facility mechanism workshop Ben Kumumanya the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Local Government remarking during the Local Climate Adaptive Living (LoCAL) facility mechanism workshop at Mestil Hotel, Nsambya on April 23, 2024
The European Union has injected sh16.2b (4 million Euros) into Uganda's climate change mitigation measures through the Local Climate Adaptive Living (LoCAL) facility mechanism.
LoCAL is a global mechanism designed by the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) which aims at promoting green and climate-resilient communities and local economies by establishing a standard, internationally recognized country-based mechanism to channel climate finance at local authorities in developing countries.
In Uganda, the LoCAL mechanism contributes to the implementation of the Paris Agreement, climate-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 13, the National Development Plan 111, National Climate Change Policy 2015 among others.
Initially, LoCAL was being implemented in Kasese, Nebbi, Nwoya, and Zombo but effective next financial year, the mechanism will be implemented in other four new districts which include Kitgum, Bulambuli, Nabilatuk, and Nakapiripirit districts.
LoCAL country framework mechanism is being held under the theme "promoting locally-led adaption in Uganda through performance-based climate resilience grants."
Speaking during the Local Climate Adaptive Living Facility (LoCAL) workshop at Metsil Hotel in Nsambya on Tuesday (April 23), Ben Kumumanya the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Local Government has revealed that the EU has invested sh16.2b (4 million Euros) into Uganda climate change mitigation measures through the Local Climate Adaptive Living (LoCAL) facility mechanism.
During the pilot phase, the EU injected sh2.2b ($600,000) into the pilot phase of districts such as Kasese, Nebbi, Nwoya, and Zombo, Kumumanya said.
“Just like most countries, Uganda is experiencing climate change and it is being manifested in many ways including weather variability, extremely hot temperatures, prolonged drought leading to loss of crops and livestock, and heavy rains leading to mudslides, flooding, and waterlogging.
Climate change is negatively affecting almost all spheres of life. The socioeconomic infrastructure is being damaged, and livelihoods of communities destroyed,” Kumumanya said.
He noted that Uganda is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change with a high degree of exposure coupled with low adaptive capacity According to the Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN 2021) adding that it ranks among the 10 most vulnerable countries to the impacts of climate change and 35 least ready in terms of preparedness for climate change effects.
“Districts like Kitgum, Bulambuli, Nabilatuk, and Nakapiripirit districts are some of the local governments that need climate change impact and therefore these projects are good in planning and budgeting, guide identification of investment, guide implementation of activities,” Kumumanya said.
Caroline Adriaensen the head of the European Union delegation in Uganda said they have injected over sh16.2b into Uganda’s climate change mitigation measures adding that the program is to run for four years.
“This money will cover both the new and the old districts that subscribe under the Local Climate Adaptive Living (LoCAL) framework facility mechanism,” Adriaensen said adding that this is a joint effort from not only one donor but many development partners that include, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, UNCDF among other.
She said the funds will be used to support the local communities and districts in planning, interventions that will help the communities phase out the effects of climate change.
“The communities will use the money to see what will be the needs, challenges, and how they will be addressed,” Adriaensen said.
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