Agriculture & Environment
Inaugural Schools Environmental Conference Rallies Young Learners to Champion Environmental Sustainability
Kampala, March 20, 2026 : More than 250 primary school pupils have been rallied to take an active role in environmental protection during the Inaugural Schools Environmental Conference hosted at Makerere University.
Organised by the Environment for Development (EfD) Uganda in partnership with the Green Vests Initiative, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), and the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), the conference aimed to promote environmental awareness and responsible stewardship among learners.
The half-day event brought together Primary Five to Primary Seven pupils and their teachers for a series of educational sessions and interactive activities under the theme “Strengthening Environmental Stewardship in Schools.”
The initiative reflects a broader commitment to nurturing environmental responsibility from an early age, complementing EfD’s traditional focus on policy engagement and research. The programme included keynote remarks, environmental education sessions, and interactive activities designed to inspire pupils to take practical steps in protecting their environment.
Schools Key in the Fight Against Environmental Crisis
Schools must take a leading role in shaping environmentally responsible citizens if Uganda is to effectively address climate change and environmental degradation, a policy engagement specialist said.
Representing the College Principal and Director of the Environment for Development (EfD) Mak Centre, Dr. Peter Babyenda described schools as critical platforms for promoting environmental stewardship and influencing long-term behavioural change.
He welcomed participants and encouraged young learners to envision themselves as future students and leaders at Makerere University. “In a few years, you will be here, and this will be your college,” he said.
Dr. Babyenda warned that Uganda remains highly vulnerable to climate change, with more than 40 percent of its land degraded and an estimated 100,000 to 122,000 hectares of forest lost annually. He noted that environmental degradation is already affecting key sectors including health, food security and education.
In Eastern Uganda, over 90 percent of children reportedly experience climate-related disruptions to learning, while urban centres such as Kampala face increasing flooding, disease outbreaks and extreme heat, which affect school attendance and concentration.
He attributed the crisis largely to human activities such as deforestation, industrialisation, wetland encroachment and poor waste management. Citing recent floods in the capital, he said blocked drainage systems and irresponsible garbage disposal are worsening the situation.
“Most of the floods you are seeing are likely caused by us,” he said. “If we don’t protect our environment, the effects will find us—even in our classrooms.”
Babyenda emphasized that teachers, particularly at primary level, play a critical role in shaping environmentally responsible behaviour early in life. “You can play a great role in safeguarding the environment if you teach these young ones from the start. It is very easy to change behaviour from the beginning,” he said.
He noted that Uganda’s youthful population-about 44 percent below the age of 15, presents a unique opportunity to drive sustainable change. With more than 18,000 primary schools and about 3,000 secondary schools, he said the education system remains the largest structured platform for influencing behaviour nationwide.
Babyenda called for practical interventions within schools, including tree planting, establishment of school gardens, waste recycling and composting, clean-up campaigns, energy conservation and the creation of “talking compounds” that reinforce environmental responsibility.
He also urged schools to strengthen environmental education through clubs and peer learning initiatives, and to revive greening policies such as school woodlots under the Green School Programme.
Highlighting the importance of forests, Babyenda pointed to the degradation of major reserves such as Mabira Forest, Bugoma Forest and Budongo Forest, warning that continued loss of tree cover threatens biodiversity, livelihoods and climate stability.
“We are saying trees, trees, trees because their benefits are immediate,” he said, noting their role in absorbing carbon dioxide, regulating temperatures and maintaining ecological balance.
Encouraging personal and community responsibility, he challenged learners to influence change beyond the classroom. “You can even correct your parents—tell them that throwing rubbish out of a car window is not right,” he said.
He also proposed simple but symbolic actions to embed environmental values in everyday life. “Let us make it a habit—even on your birthday, plant a tree. That is how you celebrate life while protecting the future,” he added.
Babyenda stressed that environmental stewardship is a shared responsibility requiring coordinated efforts from individuals, schools, communities and government institutions.
“Start small but think big. Let each school be a beacon, one tree, one club, one lesson at a time,” he said.
He pledged the centre’s readiness to partner with schools and stakeholders to advance environmental sustainability efforts across the country.
“The future lies in you, the young ones,” he said. “If we guide you well, you will become the leaders who protect our environment.”
Green Vest Initiative Champions Student-Led Environmental Action”
Green Vest Initiative Team Lead John Robert Tenywa said the gathering aimed to inspire a new generation of environmentally conscious citizens who act beyond their personal interests to protect shared resources.
The event, held under the theme “Strengthening Environmental Stewardship in Schools,” emphasized the critical role of young people in driving environmental change. Tenywa noted that schools provide a strategic platform for shaping attitudes and behaviors that can influence communities and the country at large.
“We are focusing on raising a generation that lives beyond itself—one that is mindful of the environment and committed to making a difference,” he said.
Tenywa outlined the Initiative’s key activities, including cleaning public spaces, educating communities about environmental conservation, and promoting waste management practices that turn waste into valuable resources. He added that the organisation conducts monthly community outreach activities, combining clean-up campaigns with public sensitisation efforts.
For the current cycle, the Initiative has shifted its focus toward education, targeting students with information and discussions on environmental protection. Tenywa said this approach complements ongoing clean-up efforts by addressing the root causes of environmental degradation through awareness.
He also highlighted the Initiative’s faith-based foundation, noting that it integrates moral and spiritual values into its work while engaging communities.
The engagement marks a growing effort by civil society and public institutions to involve young people in addressing environmental challenges, particularly in urban areas where waste management and pollution remain pressing concerns.
Everyone Has a Legal Role in Safeguarding the Environment
Wilber Ikalai, NEMA Manager of Environment Education and Advocacy, urged students to understand that every individual has a legal and moral duty to maintain a clean and healthy environment. “The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it,” he said, quoting environmentalist Robert Swan. He reinforced that the National Environment Act mandates all Ugandans to prevent pollution and enhance environmental quality.
Ikalai highlighted that environmental stewardship goes beyond trees, water, and wildlife, noting that human behaviors are integral to the ecosystem. He gave examples of harmful practices in schools, including improper disposal of waste, overuse of water, overprinting of documents, and the unsafe handling of food packaging materials that release chemicals into the food chain. “If you don’t take care of yourself, you are part of the pollutants affecting your environment,” he said.
The NEMA official also outlined the agency’s role in coordinating national environmental management, working with lead institutions such as the Uganda Wildlife Authority, National Forestry Authority, local governments, and educational institutions. Through policy guidance, environmental impact assessments, and public education, NEMA seeks to promote sustainability and prevent environmental degradation.
Ikalai called on students to adopt green practices in schools, including proper waste management, water conservation, minimizing overprinting, and avoiding harmful materials in food handling. He encouraged learners to report unsustainable practices they observe and to actively contribute to a culture of environmental responsibility. “Students are the stewards of the environment for the coming generations,” he said, urging them to take personal responsibility for practices that impact both their immediate surroundings and the broader ecosystem.
Jane Anyango is the Communication Officer, EfD-Mak Centre
Agriculture & Environment
TORCH Project Deepens Climate Action and Sustainable Agriculture Through Community Living Lab in Kabale
Makerere University, in partnership with local, regional, and international institutions, is advancing climate-smart agriculture and sustainable livelihoods through the TORCH Project – Towards a Clean Energy and Zero-Emission Society in East Africa: Strengthening Academic and Community Collaboration in Outreach, Training, and Research for Green Growth and a Healthy Environment.
TORCH is a collaborative initiative designed to help communities respond to climate change through practical innovations, research, and inclusive partnerships. Implemented across Uganda, South Sudan, and Austria, the TORCH Project is focused on strengthening academic and community collaborations in outreach, training, and research aimed at building a cleaner energy future and a zero-emission society. In Uganda, one of the flagship interventions is the establishment of a Living Lab in Kabale District, Kamuganguzi Sub County Nyabumba Village, where farmers, students, researchers, and development partners are working together to test and demonstrate environmentally friendly technologies that can improve household welfare while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
A Community-Centred Response to Climate Change
The Living Lab model places communities at the centre of innovation. Rather than introducing externally designed solutions, the project works directly with local households to identify challenges affecting their livelihoods and co-create practical responses suited to their environment.
A project monitoring and progress review meeting was held on 27 April 2026 in Kabale, bringing together key stakeholders to assess achievements, review ongoing activities, and plan the next phase of implementation. Participants included representatives from Makerere University, BOKU University (Austria), Kabale University, Youth Go-Green, as well as students, researchers, farmers, and community leaders.
Addressing the participants, Dr Patrick Musinguzi, Principal Investigator from Makerere University, explained that climate change is no longer a distant concern but a present-day challenge affecting every sector of society, including agriculture, health, energy, and livelihoods.
He said the TORCH Project seeks to support communities with solutions that progressively reduce greenhouse gas emissions while improving resilience and productivity. “The project is about greenhouse gas emissions. We need to see how to progressively reduce or cut down the emissions,” Dr Musinguzi said.
He further observed that universities have a responsibility to generate knowledge that solves real community problems and supports sustainable national development.
Practical Technologies Already Transforming Rural Households
The Kabale Living Lab has identified several priority technologies based on the specific needs of farming households in the area. According to Prof. Phelix Mbabazi Businge, the Project Coordinator from Kabale University, four technologies were prioritized after consultations with the host family and surrounding community.
These include:
- Biogas Systems
The biogas technology is to convert animal and organic waste into clean cooking fuel, reducing dependence on firewood and charcoal while lowering indoor air pollution. It will also provide nutrient-rich slurry that can be used as organic fertilizer.
- Woodlots
A woodlot of 500 trees (Calliandra, Grevilia and Gliricidi) was planted. The establishment of the woodlots is to promote sustainable fuelwood production, restores degraded land, and contribute to carbon sequestration. This will help reduce pressure on natural forests.
- Food Warming Baskets
These traditional but energy-efficient baskets help retain heat in cooked food, reducing the need for repeated reheating and minimizing fuel consumption.
- Rainwater Harvesting Tanks
Water harvesting systems improve access to clean water for domestic use, livestock, and small-scale farming, especially during dry periods.
Assoc. Prof. Busingye reported that implementation of these technologies is progressing steadily and that the host farmer has already expressed satisfaction with the impact of the project.
He called upon local residents to continue supporting students and researchers who will be using the site as a learning and demonstration centre even after the project officially closes.
Empowering Youth as Drivers of Green Transformation
Recognizing that youth are central to future sustainability, the TORCH Project has partnered with Youth Go-Green, an organization working to mobilize young people around environmental conservation, entrepreneurship, and community development.
Speaking during the meeting, Mr. Muhumuza Edwin, the organization’s coordinator, said Youth Go-Green currently works with more than two million young people across Uganda through national and regional structures.
He stressed that agriculture remains one of the most strategic sectors for youth employment and economic transformation.
“Farming is one of the key priority areas that we need to emphasize and improve,” he said.
He encouraged young people and community members to actively participate in the project and support one another in adopting sustainable farming practices.
Host Farmer Shares Life-Changing Experience
At the centre of the Kabale Living Lab is Mr. Charles Byarugaba, the host farmer whose home now serves as a practical learning site for the community.
Mr. Byarugaba explained that before engaging with the TORCH Project, farming in the area was often done without planning, resulting in low productivity, inefficiency, and financial losses.
“Traditionally, I used to engage in unplanned business and farming. We would benefit little or find ourselves at the losing end before we started working with the TORCH Project,” he said, noting that the project had introduced him to better planning, enterprise management, and more sustainable farming methods. Beyond his own household, he sees the Living Lab as an opportunity for the wider community to learn improved practices that can reduce poverty, improve nutrition, and create more reliable incomes.
Mr Byarugaba expressed appreciation to the project partners for selecting his farm as a demonstration site and pledged continued cooperation.
Research that Begins With Communities
Mr. Andreas Bauer, a representative from the Institute of Development Research at BOKU University, highlighted the TORCH Project’s unique participatory research approach.
He explained that unlike conventional research models where experts first define scientific questions and later seek communities to test them, TORCH starts by listening to people.
“Before we come up with a research question, we talk to the community and see what their issues are in their livelihoods. We ask what should be done to make a difference in the local communities,” he said.
This method ensures that research outputs are relevant, inclusive, and responsive to the real needs of farmers and households.
The model also provides students with valuable field-based learning opportunities, exposing them to applied research, stakeholder engagement, and innovation for development.
Strengthening Academic Partnerships Across Borders
The TORCH Project demonstrates the power of cross-border academic collaboration in solving pressing development challenges. Key partner institutions include: Makerere University, BOKU University (Austria), Kabale University, Kyambogo University, Busitema University and University of Juba
Together, these institutions are combining expertise in agriculture, climate science, energy systems, community engagement, and higher education to build solutions that can be replicated across East Africa.
Way Forward
As implementation continues, stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to expanding successful interventions, increasing community participation, and strengthening research outputs that support sustainable development.
For Makerere University, the TORCH Project reflects the institution’s broader commitment to research excellence, innovation, and community transformation. By connecting academic knowledge with local realities, the University is helping communities build resilience against climate change while creating pathways to cleaner energy, food security, and inclusive growth.
With climate pressures increasing across the region, the Kabale Living Lab stands as a strong example of how universities and communities can work together to shape a more sustainable future.
project monitoring and progress review meeting held on 27 April 2026 in Kabale.
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