Uganda to counter climate change effects, earns praise

Africa Science News Service: Good policies that cannot be implemented will not solve the current problems of climate change whose impacts are expected to hit Africa the most, is affecting 42 billion people worldwide. But Uganda appears to be laying ground work to both mitigate and adapt to the phenomenon.

John Magrath, a lead researcher from Oxfam, says Uganda is at the forefront among developing countries in developing good policies to address change of climate, but its lack of capacity to enforce the policies is a big challenge, to a country that relies on donor funding.

"Uganda has good laws to protect the environment and environmental action plans at various levels, but poor enforcement and insufficient allocation of resources to environmental concerns both in local government and national agencies are the challenges. The multiplier effects include the increase in encroachment on the national parks by surrounding communities." Says Magrath.

Uganda has good laws to protect the environment and environmental action plans at various levels but the report draws attention to challenges, particularly poor enforcement and insufficient allocation of resources to environmental concerns both in local government and national agencies.

Some interviewees felt that attitudes are changing, initiatives being taken and things improving at local level in some places. Tackling local environmental problems will secure more resources for people both to deal with their immediate problems and to deal with climate change…..

Flag of Uganda, Open Clip Art Gallery, Wikimedia Commons