Sh1.6b earmarked for climate change fight in Teso, Karamoja

May 16, 2015

The Dutch Development Agency has injected sh1.6b to combat adverse effects of climate change in the Teso and Karamoja sub-regions.


By Francis Emorut

KAMPALA - The Dutch Development Agency has injected sh1.6b to combat adverse effects of climate change in the Teso and Karamoja sub-regions.

According to the chairman of Act Alliance, Haq Makumbi Bugembe, the climate change project in the districts of Serere, Katakwi, Ngora and Kabong will be spearheaded by religious leaders.

Bugembe explained that church leaders are instrumental in influencing their flock in the fight against climate change because they interact with them on a daily basis.

Religious leaders' capacity to mitigate adverse effects of climate change would be enhanced by training, he added.

After the training, the clerics would be in position to lobby for increased funds to combat climate change and rally masses towards environment protection.

He made the remarks during the launch of a climate change project by the Church of Uganda Archbishop Stanley Ntagali at Pope Paul Memorial Hotel in Kampala.

The project will be spearheaded by Act Alliance Uganda Forum.
 


The region of Karamoja is one of the hardest-hit during the dry seasons


Bugembe pointed out that the chairpersons of the disaster-prone areas would also play a key role in mobilizing the communities to address the challenges of climate change.

These chairpersons will work along with the religious leaders.

Joesph Komol , the Kabong LC5 boss said the climate change project launch was timely, saying Karamoja is the worst affected region during the rainy season.

During the wet part of the year, the region is battered by floods and landslides which damage property and crops.

"Due to climate change the people of Karamoja are living in a vicious cycle of poverty. The crops are submerged in water and therefore no harvest," Komol told guests.

But he also directed blame towards are residents for destroying the environment by cutting down trees for settlement.

He also condemned pastoralists for cutting trees, believing that they harbour the tse-tse fly.

"This has affected the environment drastically," he said.

The general secretary of Uganda Joint Christian Council, Fr. Sylvester Arinaitwe asked religious leaders to join hands with the local leaders to sensitize the masses on the dangers of destroying the environment.
 

 

 

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