MARCH: CHURCH OF UGANDA LAUNCHES ENVIRONMENT FOCUS MONTH

NILE POST

The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, The Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, has expressed the urgent need for collective action to address the environmental crisis in Uganda.

He reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to environmental and climate change advocacy by supporting policies and actions that promote ecological balance and sustainability.

He made this commitment at the launch of the Environment Focus Month for the Church of Uganda in Namirembe.

The Provincial Assembly of the Church of Uganda, sitting at Uganda Christian University in August 2024, approved March as the Environment Month to raise awareness about the need to conserve the environment.

Archbishop Kaziimba commended the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) for their campaign to reclaim wetland areas. He however expressed concerns about the selective nature of the campaign.

“The intention was very good, except that it was selective. There are poor people who were evicted from the wetlands, but another class of people still lives there, and their factories are there. I implore you to reclaim the wetlands without fear or favor and come up with a clear development plan stipulating where people shouldn’t build and sensitize them,” he said.

Commenting on the recent tragedy at the Kiteezi landfill, the Archbishop highlighted the urgent need for a comprehensive waste management plan.

“It is very unfortunate that we lost a number of people in the Kiteezi landfill. This was caused by poor waste management. It’s unfortunate that there is no clear waste management plan for the Capital City and the Country at large. On the streets and outskirts of Kampala and many cities in Uganda, people throw garbage on the roadsides. This kills our beauty as a Country. We must conserve the environment by putting in place well-planned and located garbage collection and dumping centers.” Archbishop Kaziimba said.

He commited on behalf of the Church to use all its platforms for environmental and climate change advocacy and promote the use of clean and renewable energy for cooking and lighting in its offices, churches, institutions, households, and communities.

The Archbishop called on all people of God to embrace tree planting as a practical way to combat deforestation.

“This heat we are suffering from today is largely caused by deforestation, especially for those looking for timber. I would like to reiterate my call to all Bishops of the Church of Uganda to make it mandatory for every confirmant to plant a tree on confirmation and to all our clergy to ensure that a tree is planted for every child baptized. We must jealously conserve the environment,” he said.

He further emphasized the importance of collaboration, urging the Church to work with other faith-based institutions and cultural organizations to foster positive change and uphold the values of peace, justice, and the well-being of the earth.

The Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, Thomas Tayebwa, represented by Hon. Biyika Lawrence Songa, the Ora County Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Parliamentary Forum on Climate Change-Uganda (PFCC-U), commended the Church of Uganda’s commitment to environmental conservation.

He acknowledged the Church’s unique capacity to inspire behavioral change and pledged government support for the Church’s environmental initiatives.

He further emphasized the importance of joint efforts between religious institutions and the government in addressing environmental challenges.

“The Church of Uganda’s initiatives align with the national agenda for sustainable development. We commit to supporting and collaborating with the Church to achieve a greener and more sustainable future,” he said

The Provincial Secretary of the Church of Uganda, Rev. Canon William Ongeng, revealed that the Church of Uganda’s new Strategic Plan for 2026-2030 includes a thematic focus on Environment Conservation and Disaster Risk Reduction.

According to Rev Canon Ongeng, the Church aims to reduce its carbon footprint across all levels of its operations and to support communities in building environmental resilience. He stressed the importance of partnerships to drive impactful change, stating, “We cannot do this alone; we need strong partnerships that share the same sense of urgency to drive impactful change.”

Rev. Andrew Agaba, the Director of Household and Community Transformation, highlighted the Church’s ongoing efforts in environmental conservation. He noted that the Church has made commendable progress by planting trees and participating in international climate advocacy programs such as the Conference of Parties (COP) for five consecutive years, including the most recent one held last year in Azerbaijan.

Stuart Maniraguha, the Executive Director of the National Forestry Authority, applauded the Church of Uganda’s environmental initiatives. He stressed that environmental conservation is no longer a livelihood but a source of life.

He called for intentional climate action through tree planting and ensuring proper care for planted trees. He also pledged the National Forestry Authority’s support for the Church’s tree-planting initiatives.

Patricia Roy Akullo, the Social Safeguards and Gender Expert in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, shared insights into Uganda’s climate finance needs.

She revealed that Uganda’s climate financial need is estimated at USD 28.1 billion until 2030 (approximately USD 4.1 billion annually). This aligns with Uganda’s updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the Green Growth Development Strategy, which outline the country’s climate action commitments.

Akullo noted that Uganda accesses climate finance through international mechanisms such as the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Adaptation Fund (AF), and the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

Additionally, Uganda receives technical assistance to strengthen climate finance mobilization, enabling green and climate investments in key sectors, including agriculture, water and sanitation, transport, and energy.

The Ministry has recently concluded the development of a National Climate Finance Strategy 2024-2030 to guide the efficient utilization of funds and attract additional climate finance.

Mrs. Margaret Athieno Mwebesa, the Commissioner for Climate Change in the Ministry of Water and Environment, reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting the Church of Uganda’s climate advocacy agenda.

She acknowledged the Church’s influential role in mobilizing communities and promoting environmental stewardship.