Green Stories Uganda Newsletter | VOL 10 ??

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We're thrilled to bring you yet another exciting edition of inspiring green stories from the Pearl of Africa and beyond.

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Patrick Seremba.

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Heifer International Uganda, a global nonprofit organization focused on ending hunger and poverty, has hosted the launch of Season 3 of the AYuTe Africa Challenge in Uganda. The challenge aims to invest in innovative, youth-led African agritech businesses that enable smallholder farmers to access new technologies and transform the agricultural landscape.

The AYuTe Africa Challenge is a flagship initiative by Heifer International that provides funding, mentorship, and support to young entrepreneurs who are developing solutions to address the pressing challenges facing the agricultural sector in Africa.

"The problems we are solving are hunger and poverty. We have come to realize that young people are at the center of addressing these challenges, and that is why the AYuTe Africa Challenge was born," said William Matovu, Country Director of Heifer International Uganda.

Matovu emphasized the importance of engaging youth in agriculture and sustainability to tackle hunger and poverty. He noted that agriculture, Africa's largest employer, offers vast job opportunities, and leveraging technology can boost efficiency, appeal, and youth engagement in the sector.

"Heifer International is not just about livestock as many perceive. It's about transforming 'cow to capital,' where capital means resources, networks, and partnerships. Through leveraging these assets, it empowers communities to achieve sustainable development and economic growth," said Matovu.

When you combine agriculture with young people and technology, you're going to get a transformative generation, thus revolutionizing farming, boosting productivity, and ensuring food security for the future, Matovu added

The launch of Season 3 of the AYuTe Africa Challenge in Uganda presents a unique opportunity for young, innovative minds to turn their agritech visions into reality and be part of the movement for innovation and impact in the agricultural sector.

“The future of our continent lies in agriculture, and as young individuals, it's our responsibility to embrace this reality and take charge of our food security," said a past winner of the AYuTe Africa Challenge.

The AYuTe Africa Challenge Uganda is open to young entrepreneurs who are developing innovative, technology-driven solutions to improve the productivity, efficiency, and sustainability of smallholder farmers.

Applications are now OPEN! Submit your innovation on https://ayute.africa/uganda or send a 2 minute video talking about your innovation to +256 781 608 488.

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The 2024 Climate Corps Fellowship, organized by the Girls for Climate Action (G4CA), has successfully kicked off, equipping about 20 young women and girls in Uganda with the tools and skills to become effective climate advocates and activists.

The 2024 cohort of the Climate Corps Fellowship consists of 20 young women and girls aged 16-30 from Uganda. Over the course of the next six months, these fellows will receive comprehensive training, mentorship, and networking opportunities to advocate for climate action, raise awareness, and influence policies at the national and international level.

The program has begun with a 1-week residential training and will be followed by two weeks of virtual sessions to plan their projects and be matched with mentors. For the next 5 months, the fellows will engage in one-on-one mentorship and participate in communities of practice, where they will collaborate on various advocacy initiatives and implement their own climate solutions.

The fellowship aims to equip young women to organize and mobilize communities, implement real climate solutions, and join a movement of young women and girls advocating for climate justice,

At the end of the 6-month journey, the Climate Corps fellows will come together for a graduation ceremony to celebrate their achievements and continued commitment to the climate justice movement.

This program is a powerful example of how grassroots organizations are taking the lead in empowering marginalized groups to be at the forefront of the fight against climate change. Follow for Details.

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By: Jonathan Wesonga | WASH Technician | Water Mission Uganda

As the population of Uganda continues to soar, the country is facing an increasingly dire water crisis that threatens the livelihoods and wellbeing of its citizens. However, a range of promising strategies and technologies are emerging to help address this pressing challenge.

According to data from the World Bank, Uganda has experienced a surge in extreme weather events in recent decades, including 20 floods, 40 epidemics, 9 droughts, and 5 landslides since 1900 to 2018. These climate change-driven disasters have wreaked havoc on the country's water infrastructure, drying up established sources and contaminating others.

Adding to the pressure, Uganda's population has grown rapidly, reaching an estimated 45.6 million in 2023, up from 34.6 million in 2014. This growth has outpaced the expansion of water systems, leaving many households with inadequate access. The average Ugandan household currently receives just 30.9 liters of water per day, falling short of the 35.25 liters recommended by the 2018 Sphere Standards Handbook.

However, communities across Uganda are adopting innovative solutions to conserve and enhance their water supplies. One of the most prominent strategies is rainwater harvesting, which involves capturing runoff from rooftops and channeling it into storage tanks. This approach has proven highly cost-effective, especially in areas with reliable rainfall patterns.

Farmers are also embracing more efficient irrigation methods, such as drip systems that deliver water directly to plant roots. "Unlike sprinklers that spray water over an entire field, drip irrigation conserves water by applying it precisely where it's needed," explained Jonathan.

While these household and community-level initiatives are making a difference, unlocking Uganda's full water security potential will require concerted efforts across the public and private sectors. Stakeholders are exploring ways to establish effective public-private partnerships that can leverage diverse resources and expertise.

Coordination between the government, NGOs, and private companies is essential as well as sharing data, costs, and responsibilities, to accelerate the deployment of sustainable water projects that benefit everyone.

Policymakers are also recognizing the need for regulatory reforms to incentivize sustainable water management. Proposals include measures to protect groundwater sources from over-extraction and contamination, as well as incentives to promote rainwater harvesting and modern irrigation technologies.

As Uganda continues to grapple with the water crisis, its people are demonstrating resilience and innovation. With the right mix of community-driven solutions and strategic public-private collaborations, the country may yet find a path to a more water-secure future. Full Exclusive Interview!

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UGEFA Continues To Enhance The Capacity Of Financial Institutions In Uganda Through The Adelphi (Host Of The Project) Green Finance Academy. We Are Proud To Announce That This Year, Three Exclusive Green Finance Academy Trainings Were Delivered To Our Partner Banks: Dfcu Bank, NCBA, And Stanbic Bank. Since 2021, A Total Of Nine Green Finance Academy Trainings Have Been Conducted.

Since its launch in 2021, the UGEFA Green Finance Academy has made significant contributions to the banking sector. Bank staff have gained enhanced knowledge in green finance and green business models and are already developing strategies to integrate green finance practices into their business models.

By incorporating environmental considerations into their operations, banks not only mitigate environmental risks but also capitalise on emerging opportunities in the green economy. Embracing sustainability within the financial sector will allow financial flows to the private sector, specifically to the green economy sectors, amplifying the economic, social, and environmental impacts of green finance across Uganda’s economy.

In 2024 alone, over 75 bank staff from various departments and branches of these financial institutions were trained. To date, UGEFA has trained a total of 170 bank staff since its inception. Only this year, with the guidance of UGEFA green finance experts, 11 green finance products were co-created with participants. These tailored green finance products are in development and intended for deployment to support green small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) in Uganda. READ FULL ARTICLE.

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In a significant transition, the National Forestry Authority (NFA) has appointed Stuart Maniraguha as the Acting Executive Director (Ag. ED) for the next six months. This appointment follows the expiration of the term of the outgoing Executive Director, Tom Obong Okello, who served the organization for six transformative years.

The handover ceremony, witnessed by all NFA staff, marked a significant moment for the organization. The event was graced by the NFA Board members, led by Chairman Dr. Eng. Christopher Ebal, who underscored the significance of unity and collective effort. "NFA is bigger than all of us; we should work together to achieve its vision by supporting the newly appointed Ag ED," Dr. Ebal emphasized.

Before handing over the tools of office to the newly appointed Ag. ED, Tom Obong Okello (outgoing ED) expressed his gratitude to the NFA Board and his colleagues. "I thank the NFA Board for the trust they had in me and the time we've had together," Okello said.

In his inaugural address, Ag. ED Stuart Maniraguha emphasized the importance of teamwork and mutual support. "Let's steer the ship together as staff while supporting each other to achieve our goals at NFA," Maniraguha urged.

Stuart Maniraguha's appointment is seen as a step towards continuity and furthering the achievements made under Tom Obong Okello's leadership. The NFA community looks forward to a continued period of progress and growth under Maniraguha's stewardship. For Details.

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This week, agriculture and energy sector players from Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda met at the Distributed Renewable Energy Ecosystem Model (DREEM) Conference in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The conference aims to share lessons and best practices on scaling the productive use of renewable energy in agrifood systems across the region.

Convened by the Mott Foundation, Kenya Climate Innovation Center (KCIC) and other partners, Under the theme, "Financing an Ecosystem of Agrisolar Entrepreneurs in East Africa.", the DREEM Conference reviewed the different pathways and identified strategies to develop sustainable productive use of renewable energy or agrisolar ecosystems in the project countries.

The DREEM Conference is a testament to the power of collaboration and knowledge sharing across East Africa, by convening innovators, financing institutions, and other ecosystem players, they aim to unlock the full potential of renewable energy solutions to transform agricultural practices and drive sustainable development in the region.

Throughout the two-day event, participants engaged in riveting speeches, roundtable discussions, and eye-opening entrepreneurial testimonies. The discussions centered on unlocking financing challenges in the agrisolar entrepreneurship space, acknowledging self-imposed obstacles, addressing policy incoherence across the region, and leveraging innovations and technologies to transform communities. The DREEM Conference has been a crucial step in bringing together the key players to chart a path forward and turn this dream into a reality.

The conference organizers plan to publish a thought paper arising from the discussions, sharing the insights and strategies identified during the event. The DREEM Conference 2024 has highlighted the immense potential of the East African community to collaborate and drive the productive use of renewable energy in the agriculture sector.

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The African Climate Change and Environment Reporting (ACCER) Awards, an initiative by the Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), is honoring African journalists who have excelled in covering environmental and climate issues.

The ACCER Awards Finalist Academy is a strategic plan to sustain capacity building and reward schemes for journalists reporting on climate change in Africa, with the main objectives of amplifying the African narrative on climate change in global discourse, motivating journalists and media houses to objectively report on climate and environmental issues, showcasing best practices in policy and action to address climate change, enhancing media participation in African climate change discussions, and promoting awareness about green investment opportunities. ?

Visit the Website for more information on the Application - Before August 8th, 2024!

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Africa Carbon Markets Initiative (ACMI) will showcase insights gathered since its inception and feature a stellar panel discussing the future of carbon markets in Africa. REGISTER HERE!

Plant trees plant hope - ~ Global Env. & Climate Conservation Initiative

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