Fort Portal, Uganda

Uganda’s progress toward Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) will remain limited unless deliberate efforts are made to strengthen agricultural extension services and turn policy intentions into real impact for farmers.

This was the key message delivered at a high-level policy dialogue held in Fort Portal, which brought together over 30 district officials, researchers, and policymakers from 11 districts across the Bunyoro and Rwenzori sub-regions.

The dialogue, held at Night Rose Hotel, was organized by the Environment for Development (EfD)–Mak Centre, under Makerere University, coordinated by  the EfD Global Hub at the University of Gothenburg Sweden, funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). The event aimed to deepen local understanding of CSA and strengthen connections between policy frameworks and implementation at the grassroots.

In his welcome remarks, Baguma Brian James, Senior Fisheries Officer for Kabarole District, thanked the EfD team for bringing such a relevant discussion to the region. He described the event as a moment of professional and academic reflection, noting that many participants had been reawakened to concepts they once encountered in school.

“I’d like to thank you all for being part of these valuable engagements,” Baguma said. “As Kabarole District, we are actively participating in this project. Our farmers are progressing toward co-funding stages for input support.” He expressed hope that the dialogue would not only offer technical knowledge but also actionable strategies participants could take home and apply.

Representing the Director of EfD-Mak Centre, Dr. Nicholas Kilimani underscored the importance of science in guiding agricultural decisions. He reminded participants that the EfD Centre’s functions include research, outreach, and policy engagement – all of which converge in dialogues like this one.

“The theme of this dialogue Smart Agriculture resonates with Uganda’s urgent need to sustain its agricultural backbone amid mounting pressures from climate change and human activity,” Dr. Kilimani said. He emphasized that decision-making must be grounded in scientific evidence rather than conjecture, pointing out that agriculture, while essential to Uganda’s economy, continues to suffer under environmental degradation, poor planning, and the effects of climate variability.

“We are no longer in an era of trial and error. Decision-making must come from science, not hearsay,” he added. Kilimani also highlighted the power of global collaboration, noting that the EfD network spans six continents, creating a powerful exchange of knowledge to support sustainability around the world. “We are using these global synergies to contribute to a sustainable planet—of which we only have one.”

Fort Portal Deputy Resident City Commissioner, Busingye Emmanuel, officially opened the dialogue and welcomed participants to the city. He applauded the event’s focus on climate-smart agriculture but lamented the widespread failure to enforce environmental laws and coordinate government action effectively.

“Uganda is not short of laws or institutions to protect the environment. The problem is either poor coordination or outright inaction,” Busingye said. He cited the continued degradation of wetlands in Fort Portal as a key example of where environmental protection efforts fall short. While several government agencies exist to enforce these policies, their actions are often fragmented or undermined by personal and political interests.

“If we did what we are supposed to do, we wouldn’t have this level of environmental destruction,” he added. Busingye further urged participants not to treat the event as a box-ticking exercise but as a launching point for real implementation on the ground. “Let’s not attend workshops and stop there. Let us act on the ground.”

Presenting an overview of CSA, Dr. Peter Babyenda revealed sobering statistics about land use and degradation. He noted that agriculture accounts for 72% of Uganda’s land use and that 41% of this land is already degraded. If the current trend continues, by 2040, nearly 90% of Uganda’s land could be under agricultural use, intensifying environmental stress.

“Our natural forest cover once fell to 9%, though efforts to promote CSA have raised it to around 30%,” Dr. Babyenda explained. He warned, however, that only 30% of farmers in Uganda are currently practicing climate-smart techniques — a dangerously low figure given the urgency of climate change.

“CSA offers a triple win  increased productivity, improved resilience, and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions,” he said. “But adoption remains low due to costs, lack of awareness, and poor access to technologies.” Dr. Babyenda also highlighted the European Union’s upcoming regulatory requirements on deforestation-free coffee exports, warning that Uganda could lose access to lucrative markets if it fails to embrace CSA practices. “Without climate-smart agriculture, our exports will suffer,” he stated.

Dr. Florence Lwiza Nsereko delivered an evidence-based presentation on CSA case studies  and emphasized the critical role of extension services in scaling CSA. She reiterated that agriculture, deforestation, and other land-use forms like livestock production remain Uganda’s largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. Yet despite an abundance of policy documents, actual implementation remains weak.

“Climate Smart Agriculture integrates productivity, adaptation, and mitigation. But its adoption remains low because our extension services lack capacity,” Dr. Lwiza said. She pointed to key barriers in extension delivery, including lack of access to training, weak institutional support, and poor perceptions about CSA among field officers. Notably, she revealed that female extension workers often outperform their male counterparts in CSA delivery.

She further noted that Western Uganda is both highly vulnerable to climate shocks and densely populated, making it a prime candidate for CSA interventions. “Western Uganda is both a climate risk hotspot and an opportunity zone. Now is the time to act,” she concluded.

Adding another layer to the discussion, Dr. Aisha Nanyiti presented research on the role of renewable energy micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in transforming agriculture across Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. She argued that clean energy and climate-smart practices must be pursued together to achieve inclusive, low-carbon growth.

“Agricultural modernization and climate goals can go hand in hand — if we remove barriers to clean energy,” she said. She stressed the importance of financial access, supportive regulations, and targeted capacity building to ensure that MSMEs can support CSA.

Closing the dialogue, Deputy Speaker of Fort Portal City, Tusiime Florence, expressed gratitude to the organizers but raised concerns over the sustainability of such engagements. She urged EfD-Mak and its partners to avoid the common trend of one-off workshops that do not translate into long-term support for local governments.

“Workshops come and go, but no one returns to follow up with our communities,” she said. Tusiime called attention to the overwhelming workload and underfunding of agricultural extension officers, many of whom use their own money and have no transport to reach rural areas. “Our extension workers are overworked and underfunded. They have no motorcycles, no transport,” she said. “Yet they are expected to implement national climate and agricultural goals.”

She called for continued support and follow-through from Makerere University and the EfD-Mak Centre. “When farmers dry maize on bare soil, it’s not ignorance – it’s lack of training and support,” she noted. “If you come back and work with us, we will make CSA work.”

The Fort Portal dialogue highlighted the growing urgency to transition from policy declarations to farmer-level action, as climate shocks continue to impact agricultural livelihoods. While Uganda has made strides in crafting climate and agriculture policies — including Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and CSA frameworks — weak operationalization, limited financing, and poor coordination remain major obstacles. Stakeholders agreed that building capacity, particularly among extension workers, remains the single most effective route to scaling climate-smart agriculture and delivering tangible impact where it matters most — at the farm.

Capacity building focuses on natural resource evaluation, valuation, accounting, climate change mitigation and  adaptation

Over 30 district environmental officers from 11 districts gathered in Fort Portal for a high-level training focused on environmental evaluation, valuation, accounting, and climate change mitigation and adaptation. The first was held in Entebbe.

The training, held at Mofort Hotel, was organized by the Environment for Development Initiative (EfD-Mak Centre) and funded by the Makerere Research and Innovations Fund (MakRIF). It brought together officers from Mubende, Hoima, Ntoroko, Kiryandongo, Kyenjojo, Fort Portal, Masindi, Kabarole, Kamwenge, Kyegegwa, and Buliisa districts.

Facilitated by Dr. John Sseruyange, Dr. Peter Babyenda, Dr. Aisha Nanyiti, and Dr. Nick Kilimani, the program aimed to equip district officers with the tools and skills to accurately value natural resources and integrate findings into local and national development planning.

“We Don’t Know the Value of Our Natural Resource” — Dr. Peter Babyenda Calls for Data-Driven Conservation

Dr. Peter Babyenda, EfD-Mak’s Policy Engagement Specialist, who also represented the Centre Director, underscored the strategic importance of natural resources under Uganda’s National Development Plan IV (NDP IV).

“This training has come at a time when our country… expects sectors like agriculture, tourism, and minerals to contribute almost 75% of projected growth to UGX 500 billion by 2040,” said Dr. Babyenda.

He expressed concern over the lack of economic valuation for key ecosystems such as Mabira Forest, Bugoma Forest, Lubigi Wetland, and even Lake Victoria and the Source of the Nile.

“We don’t know the value of most of these forests and wetlands. Who knows the value of Lubigi? Who knows the value of Lake Victoria?” he asked.

Dr. Babyenda emphasized that district officers are best placed to collect this critical data due to their close proximity to the ecosystems.

UGX 150 Million Invested in Training to Fill Valuation Gaps

The EfD-Mak Centre secured approximately UGX 150 million from MakRIF to conduct the regional trainings.

“We decided to train district officials on how to collect information on environmental issues, value it, and analyze it — so that we know the real worth of these natural assets,” Dr. Babyenda explained.

He emphasized that the training would help officers understand how to evaluate development options, especially when faced with controversial land-use proposals such as constructing factories on wetlands.

In line with its research agenda, the EfD-Mak Centre has developed a Natural Capital Policy Assessment Model, which depends heavily on reliable, grassroots-level environmental data.

“This model requires data, and that’s why we’re training district officers — so they can supply what’s needed to inform national policies and contribute to the debate on conservation versus development,” he said.

Dr. Babyenda highlighted the challenge of balancing job creation for Uganda’s growing population with the urgency of environmental conservation.

“We must develop, yes — but we also need to conserve our environment for future generations,” he stressed.

He called for longer, field-based training sessions, stating that a comprehensive course should span two weeks, including hands-on site visits for practical learning

Next Steps: Jinja, Sembabule, and Post-Training Follow-Ups

Following earlier sessions in Entebbe and the current one in Fort Portal, the training will continue in Jinja and Sembabule. The EfD-Mak Centre plans to follow up with trained officers to assess how effectively they are applying new skills in the field.

Dr. Babyenda also encouraged officers to develop proposals for site-specific environmental valuation projects.

“If someone came up with a proposal to value Queen Elizabeth or Murchison Falls or Mabere ga Nyina Mwiru, they can find funding,” he said. “That’s what we are trying to ignite through this training.”

Training Addresses a Critical Capacity Gap

Dr. John Sseruyange, one of the lead facilitators, reflected on the disconnect between environmental laws and actual implementation due to limited training at the local government level.

“We found a gap among environmental experts at local governments. This training addresses that gap by focusing on evaluation, accounting, and climate change,” he said.

Dr. Sseruyange added that environmental impact assessments require on-site visits, public interviews, and technical studies, which demand resources beyond just staffing — including transportation, time, and access to data.

“These aren’t tasks you can do sitting in the office. It requires serious commitment, and that’s what we’re trying to build through this program.”

Dr. Sseruyange outlined how EfD-Mak moves from research to practice, conducting regional outreach, policy dialogues, and monitoring visits to ensure that training translates into real-world impact.

“We don’t stop at training. We organize dialogues with local governments, document their insights, and take findings to the national level to inform policymakers,” he explained.

EfD-Mak also uses multiple dissemination platforms including TVs, radios, journal articles, and policy briefs to ensure broader public engagement and visibility.

“We Must Help Communities Understand the Value of Nature” — Forestry Officer from Ntoroko

Jeremaya Munobi, a Forestry Officer from Ntoroko District Local Government, said the training was timely, especially for frontline natural resource managers.

“Communities graze in wetlands and engage in sand mining because they don’t understand the value of these resources in monetary terms,” Munobi said.

He emphasized the need for valuation data to make it easier to communicate the importance of environmental protection, design community-driven policies, and advocate for strategic conservation plans.

“When we lose wetlands like Kiyanja, what are we actually losing in shillings? That’s the question we need to answer, and this training is helping us do that.”

Munobi also pointed out that logistical challenges—including inadequate transport and limited funds—hinder local governments from fully executing their environmental responsibilities.

“There haven’t been consistent efforts to help communities understand what they lose when they degrade wetlands. That’s a major gap. If the government closed those gaps, we’d ensure much more effective management of our natural resources,” he concluded.

As Uganda grapples with the dual goals of economic growth and environmental protection, initiatives like the EfD-Mak training program are empowering local actors to become catalysts of evidence-based environmental governance. The Centre’s efforts demonstrate a long-term commitment to ensuring that local knowledge informs national policy, and that natural resources are preserved not just for beauty — but for their true, measurable value to Uganda’s future.

Entebbe, Uganda – September 19, 2025

More than 20 local government officials from Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Entebbe Municipality, and the districts of Wakiso, Mukono, and Mpigi have concluded a two-day intensive training on Environmental Valuation, Accounting, Evaluation, and Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation.

Held at Central Inn Hotel in Entebbe from September 18–19, the workshop was organized by the Environment for Development (EfD) Makerere University Centre and funded by the Makerere University Research and Innovation Fund (Mak-RIF). The objective was to build local capacity in environmental governance and integrate natural capital and climate risks into local development planning.

The training was facilitated by Dr. Aisha Nanyiti, Dr. John Sseruyange, Dr. Peter Babyenda and Dr. Nick Kilimani- all from Makerere University.

Natural Resources Must Be Valued and Protected

Opening the workshop, Prof. Edward Bbaale, Director of the EfD-Mak Centre and Principal Investigator of the project, described the training as timely, given Uganda’s growing environmental and climate challenges.

“Uganda is already experiencing the adverse effects of climate variability—on agriculture, health, water resources, and the economy,” Prof. Bbaale noted. “This training empowers our environmental officers to use economic evidence to defend natural resources against competing land uses.”

He emphasized the need to monetize ecosystem services like wetlands, forests, and biodiversity to inform land-use decisions.

“A forest cleared for sugarcane may appear to create jobs, but when you account for its carbon sequestration, rainfall formation, and tourism potential, its long-term value far outweighs the short-term economic gains.”

Prof. Bbaale also urged that natural capital be included in Uganda’s national accounting systems to achieve sustainable and equitable development.

He thanked local government leadership for releasing their staff for the training and praised the collaboration between academia and government.

“You are not just trainees — you are future champions of environmental stewardship in your districts,” he told the participants.

Environmental Degradation Threatens Public Health

Representing the Chairperson of Mak-RIF, Dr. Sabrina Kitaka underscored the public health consequences of environmental degradation, linking it to disease outbreaks and natural disasters.

“We have just seen a 14-year-old girl in Lwengo contract Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever due to increased human-wildlife contact — a direct result of environmental encroachment,” Dr. Kitaka warned.

She connected rising flash floods, deforestation, and urban sprawl to poor environmental management and called for cross-sectoral awareness of environmental risks.

“This training is not just for environmentalists. Planners, economists, and health professionals must also be equipped with this knowledge,” she said.

Dr. Kitaka applauded the EfD-Mak team for using local experts, not foreign consultants, in delivering the training.

“We must train Ugandans to solve Uganda’s problems. That’s the spirit of Mak-RIF.”

She also revealed that the Government of Uganda has funded over 1,300 research projects through Mak-RIF over the last five years and called for continued investment in locally driven innovation.

“Like Oliver Twist, we ask for more. Science must be funded to help Ugandans solve Ugandan problems.”

Experts Present Practical Tools for Sustainable Planning

Localized Climate Action Is Urgent

Dr. Aisha Nanyiti urged participants to design district-specific climate policies, differentiating between mitigation (addressing the causes) and adaptation (responding to the impacts).

“Climate action begins at the local level. Districts must create context-appropriate bylaws and planning strategies to reduce vulnerability to floods, droughts, and other climate shocks.”

She emphasized that Uganda’s local governments are key to meeting national targets under NDP IV and Vision 2040, and that climate change must be addressed in all sectors — from health to urban planning.

Environmental Evaluation is a Safeguard

Dr. Sseruyange warned that development projects are at risk of failure if environmental assessments are not properly conducted.

“Roads, schools, and hospitals may be destroyed by floods or landslides if we ignore the environment. Planning must consider both the impact on nature and the reverse impact from degraded ecosystems.”

He called on local environmental officers to assert their roles in safeguarding both the environment and infrastructure investment.

“Neglecting environmental oversight may undo everything we build.”

What is Not Valued is Easily Destroyed

Dr. Peter Babyenda introduced participants to valuation tools like Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) and the Travel Cost Method, which help quantify the economic value of forests, wetlands, and biodiversity.

“These tools inform cost–benefit analysis, budgeting, and resource allocation. If we don’t value our natural assets, we risk losing them permanently.”

He stressed that environmental protection is not only an ecological issue, but also an economic, social, and political matter. He encouraged integration of valuation results into budgeting and planning under frameworks like the National Environment Act (2019).

Local Officials Call for Continued Engagement

Ibrahim Muwanguzi, Environmental Officer from Wakiso District, praised the training as a vital step toward mainstreaming environmental valuation into local and national development processes.

“Most government officials focus solely on economic returns, ignoring the critical but intangible value of natural resources,” he said.

He cited a recent case during Mpigi Expressway construction where a culturally significant tree sparked debate over its monetary value — from UGX 100,000 to UGX 100 million — due to lack of valuation standards.

“If services like flood control were quantified in shillings, it would help justify preservation of wetlands and forests,” he noted.

Muwanguzi also emphasized the need for environmental economists in government roles, urging stronger collaboration between academia and policy.

“We have graduates in natural resource economics. Let’s integrate them into our public service.”

Let This Not Be the Last

Tonny Mwidyeki, District Natural Resources Officer for Mpigi, delivered the vote of thanks on behalf of all trainees, emphasizing the long gap since the last such training.

“For many of us, it’s been years since we had a refresher like this. If we continue to have such sessions, we will serve our people and protect our environment better.”

He thanked the facilitators from Makerere University for the two-day sensitization and urged that such capacity-building workshops be held more regularly.

“From here, we go back not just informed, but ready to lead change.”

Time to Act is Now

Closing the training, Dr. Sseruyange, speaking on behalf of the EfD-Mak Director, reminded participants that environmental degradation has been decades in the making, and action must no longer be delayed.

“Development depends on the natural world. Let us act now — from our households to our districts — to reverse the damage and secure our future.”

He thanked the participants for their active engagement and promised continued collaboration between Makerere University, local governments, and national stakeholders to promote evidence-based environmental policy.

About EfD-Mak and Mak-RIF

The Environment for Development (EfD) Centre at Makerere University is part of a global network of research institutions focused on environmental economics, coordinated by the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
The Makerere University Research and Innovation Fund (Mak-RIF) is a Government of Uganda-funded program supporting local research to address national development challenges. Since inception, Mak-RIF has supported over 1,300 research projects across disciplines.