Environmentalists push for climate policy

Activists say the existing policies are not suitable in areas where they are implemented.

Environmentalists have asked government to fast track formulation of a climate change policy to guide in implementation of mitigation and adaptation measures.

The group, under their umbrella body, Climate Action Network Uganda (CAN-Uganda), said the absence of the policy has minimised efforts to combat harsh weather changes.

During an advocacy stakeholders workshop in Kampala on Tuesday, Ms Christine Nantongo, a senior consultant at NaNa Development Consultants, said lack of a policy direction had forced government and civil society organisations to carry out ineffective polices.

“Existing policies don’t reflect human activities in causing climate change and some of the adaptation practices applied are not suitable for ecological areas where they are being used,” Ms Nantongo said.

Experts say the country’s climate is getting worse daily due to incessant degradation of the environment.
It has been predicted that the country will experience a pronounced impact of global climate variability and will be among the countries hardest hit by its immediate impact.

Of recent, the country has lost lives due catastrophes such as landslides and floods, attributed to climate change.
Mr Isaac Kabongo, the Ecological Christian Organisation executive director, said government to should prioritise the fight against causes of weather changes to reduce recurring calamities triggered by extreme weather condition.
However, Mr Paul Isabirye, Uganda’s climate change coordinator at Uganda Climate Change Unit, said the process towards drafting a climate change policy was on.

Mr Isabirye said the process has been divided into two modes of consultancy and an inception meeting will be called for multi-stakeholders soon.

jmiti@ug.nationmedia.com