Uganda to face more extreme weather

A report by Oxfam international and the Advocates Coalition for Development and Environment (Acode) has revealed that the country is projected to see droughts of heightened frequency, intensity and duration by 2030, which will severely affect productivity in growing areas for temperature-sensitive crops such as coffee and tea.

This comes at a time when the country is ranked 12th most vulnerable to climate change out of 192 countries. Uganda is also one of the least prepared to deal with the climate crisis, ranking 163rd out of 192 countries.

“The severe threat posed by climate change and the accompanying loss and damage it brings put issues of climate fiscal justice under scrutiny,” the report reveals.

Specifically, there is uncertainty around the adequacy of public finance management systems to respond to climate change in terms of equity-responsive budgetary allocation and tracking of climate finance.

Equally important is whether richer countries are honouring their legal obligations in channeling climate finance to low-income countries in line with Article 9 of the Paris Agreement.

“The impacts of climate change are far-reaching as communities in many parts of the country, such as the Mount Elgon region, are already vulnerable and are grappling with socioeconomic losses due to climate change," Mr Francis Shanty Odokorach country director Oxfam international in Uganda, said.

He notes that while the government and organizations are investing more in disaster risk reduction and adaptation, much more is needed to prevent floods, droughts, and other climate impacts that deepen poverty.

Mr Alfred Okot Okidi, the Ministry of Water and Environment permanent secretary, says despite the challenges of climate change, the country has made strides to contribute to its mitigation and adaptation through fiscal justice.