General
Academicians and Policy Makers Skilled on Triple Dividends of Building Resilience
A team from the World Resource Institute (WRI), University Network, SOASS University of London delivered a seminar on the Triple Dividend of Building Resilience as full benefits of Climate Change Adaptation.
Senior Fellow WRI Prof. Carter Brandon and the Deputy Director, Centre for Sustainable Finance SOAS University of London Harald Heubaum were in Uganda on the invitation of the EfD Mak Centre Makerere University to deliver on the topic,” The Triple Dividends of Resilience: Assessing the full benefits of Adaptation Investments”.
Thirty (30) participants drawn from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (largely from the Newly established Climate Finance Unit), Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, the National Environment Management Authority, National Planning Authority, Academia, IGE fellows and post graduate students attended the workshop.
The workshop was officially, opened on 7th July 2023 by the Director EfD-Mak Centre who is also the team leader of the Resilience and Adaptation Mainstreaming Program (RAMP) at Makerere University represented by Peter Babyenda.
Mr. Babyenda is the IGE Policy Engagement Specialist at EfD-Mak Centre. He emphasized the importance of building resilience especially in Uganda given that majority of the people depend on rain-fed agriculture and nature that is highly susceptible to climate change and its effects.
He welcomed the team to Makerere University expressing the center’s readiness to cooperate and train the public and private practitioners on issues of climate change adaptation, financing, modeling and risk management.
Participants were retooled on elements and importance of Climate Change adaptation; Costs and benefits of adaptation; Cost of benefit analysis of adaptation to climate change; the need for behavioral change and the risk of analysis and management.
Prof. Carter Brandon explained that mitigation is concerned with applying measures to avoid the occurrence of climate change, while adaptation involves measures taken to cope up or minimize the effects of climate change.
He outlined the major elements of adaptation as, “Reduce and Prevent, Prepare, and Respond and finally, Restore and Recover.
The full advantage of adaptation according to Prof. Carter is categorized as “the triple dividends of adaptation”. The advantages include: avoided losses in form of saved lives, assets and crops; induced economic benefits in form of reduced flood risks, lower financial costs and increased crop yields.
Other advantages of adaptation he said, include social and environmental benefits in form of nature based flood protection, increased biodiversity protection, improved air and water quality, improved health and recreation, mangrove protection and improved fisheries and forestry.
Prof. Carter asked for support and the need to train the government and all stake holders involved in adaptation decision making in areas of finance, modelling, budgeting and risk management.
Harald Heubaum noted that many countries do not consider full benefits of adaptation due to lack of expertise. This he said leads to under report the benefits associated with adaptation which also affects adaptation choices in those countries.
He said, the university network intends to partner with universities across the globe to train decision and policy makers on how to calculate adaptation benefits including modelling, financing and risk management.
A call Harald said will soon be shared so that several local case studies are compiled to help in training. The training was welcomed by all participants on reason that it will improve adaptation ranking globally.
Closing the workshop, the Ag. Coordinator of RAMP at Makerere University Dr. Nick Kilimani appreciated the participants for being active and the Ministry of Finance for taking lead on the issues of climate change adaptation financing.
The Assistant Commissioner, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Uganda Dr. Sam Mugume said, government has prioritized adaptation activities in the country.
He reported that in addition to setting up an independent Climate Finance Unit to handle adaptation and climate change related financing, government has put aside money for clean agricultural adaptation in form of buying solar powered irrigation pumps as a way of adaptation to the changing climate in the country among other measures.
Closing the workshop, the Ag. Coordinator of RAMP at Makerere University Dr. Nick Kilimani appreciated the participants for being active and the Ministry of Finance for taking lead on the issues of climate change adaptation financing
A full paper that was presented can be accessed via:
Article Written by Peter Babyenda and edited by Jane Anyango
In a vibrant celebration of youth leadership and African unity, Makerere University hosted the Second Annual Guild Leaders’ Summit, an event that brought together high-profile dignitaries, student leaders, and international partners for a powerful dialogue on the future of the continent. The summit, organized by the Guild Presidents Leadership Academy, served as a rallying point for East Africa’s young leaders to confront Africa’s most urgent challenges—on their own terms and with their own solutions.
A Warm Welcome and Reflections on Makerere’s Legacy
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, welcomed the distinguished guests, who included Former President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Uganda’s Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo, former Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Ruhakana Rugunda, Justice Simon Byabakama, Hon. Mathew Rukikaire, and European Union Deputy Ambassador Mr. Guillaume Chartrain, among others.
In his address, Prof. Nawangwe reflected on Makerere’s deep historical ties to East Africa’s liberation and development movements. He reminded the audience that Makerere University has been a crucible for the continent’s leadership, stating:
“Jomo Kenyatta was the first person to receive a degree from Makerere when, in 1963, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by then Chancellor Julius Nyerere. All freedom fighters in East Africa studied at Makerere.”
Building on this rich history, Prof. Nawangwe affirmed the university’s current mission to tackle pressing continental issues. “Today,” he said, “Makerere is committed to addressing Africa’s challenges—climate change, disease, poverty, food security, conflict resolution, and economic development. But we cannot do this alone.”
He echoed sentiments later shared by the keynote speaker, stressing that Africa must no longer depend on external interventions:
“Foreign agencies will not solve all Africa’s problems. It is our young people who must step forward and lead the change.”
Uhuru Kenyatta: “You Are the Last Line of Defence”
In a keynote address that resonated deeply with the students and delegates in attendance, Former President Uhuru Kenyatta issued a bold and urgent call to action for Africa’s youth.
“No one is coming to save us,” Kenyatta declared. “You are the last line of defence in the battle to rescue the heart and soul of Africa.”
Positioning today’s youth as the heirs of the continent’s freedom fighters, Kenyatta described the current moment as a new “independence era”—not of political liberation, but of economic and intellectual sovereignty. He urged students to think critically about intra-African trade, which currently accounts for less than 2.5% of global commerce, and to advocate for the removal of internal barriers to trade, innovation, and mobility.
“You are the freedom fighters of this generation,” he said. “Universities must be incubators of change, and students must be the trustees of tomorrow’s Africa.”
Pan-Africanism, Leadership, and Action
Uganda’s Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo encouraged students to take up the mantle of Pan-Africanism with unwavering commitment. She acknowledged that while the rhetoric of African unity is inspiring, real progress demands more than words:
“You must embrace the spirit of Pan-Africanism. But it is easy to say these words—the challenge lies in collective implementation.”
She emphasized the importance of action-oriented leadership and urged the youth to harness their creativity, energy, and education for the benefit of the continent.
European Union’s Message: Leadership with Integrity
Representing Team Europe, the EU Deputy Ambassador to Uganda, Mr. Guillaume Chartrain, gave a passionate speech on the values of authentic leadership, integrity, and inclusive development. He praised Makerere University as a space where “intellectual ambition meets civic responsibility” and emphasized that leadership is not about prestige, but purpose:
“Be a leader because of what you want to be—not because of what you want to have,” he said.
Citing former Makerere alumni such as Julius Nyerere and Wangari Maathai, Chartrain called on students to model courage, resilience, and humility:
“True leadership emerges in moments of loss—when resilience, not triumph, becomes the measure of one’s character.”
The EU, he said, remains committed to supporting youth through programs like Erasmus+, the EU Youth Sounding Board, and partnerships with organizations like Faraja Africa Foundation and Restless Development. These initiatives empower youth not as symbols, but as active participants in shaping policy and governance.
The Legacy Continues
Throughout the summit, speakers highlighted the importance of legacy and long-term impact. They challenged young leaders to think not just about the present, but about the systems and institutions they will leave behind. In the words of Former President Kenyatta:
“Leadership is not about the next election. It’s about the next generation.”
The summit ended on a high note, with students invigorated and inspired to lead with purpose. As global support grows less predictable and Africa stands at a crossroads, the message from Makerere was clear: the future of the continent is in the hands of its youth. And as the Guild Leaders’ Summit demonstrated, they are ready.
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