Uganda’s youth are stepping boldly into the global climate conversation, spearheading a fresh wave of activism and policy engagement ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), scheduled for later this year in Brazil.
At the 2025 Local Conference of Youth (LCOY), held in Kampala under the theme “Youth Leadership in Climate Action”, hundreds of young activists convened to craft Uganda’s national youth climate statement.
The document, to be presented at COP30, will articulate the priorities, solutions, and demands of Ugandan youth in the global climate discourse.
The event, backed by the German government and international partners, marked a significant shift in youth-led climate advocacy on the African continent.
Daniel Pikisa, Executive Director of COLEIN AID, a grassroots NGO operating in West Nile, said the moment reflected a turning point in Uganda’s climate movement.
“We lack sufficient financial resources to meaningfully engage all youth,” Pikisa said.
“One major challenge is translating technical support into local languages to ensure that climate action is inclusive. For Uganda’s youth to deliver, we need actionable policies and resources to support our strategies.”
Germany has pledged continued support for Uganda’s climate leadership. Alicia van den Boom, Head of Cooperation at the German Embassy in Kampala, emphasized the shared responsibility of tackling climate change and the importance of youth leadership.
“It’s a shared responsibility to address climate change worldwide, with young people bearing the brunt of its impacts,” van den Boom said.
“Uganda has already taken important steps, with nearly 90% of its energy derived from clean sources. The youth have a unique opportunity to innovate, amplify their voices on all platforms, and propose solutions that can attract funding and long-term support.”
Among the youth shaping Uganda’s climate statement is Evelyn Alum, an advocate for sustainable construction.
“We need to move beyond traditional building methods and embrace recycled materials and green architecture,” Alum said.
“This is how we reduce environmental damage and push for systemic change.”
Jamimah Babirye Kasibbo, Coordinator of the Uganda Climate Youths Council, described the consultations as groundbreaking in both scale and purpose.
“Our national statement will carry Uganda’s youth perspectives to COP30, ensuring that development-focused climate strategies reflect the realities of our generation,” Kasibbo said.
“This is about influencing global policy and holding leaders accountable.”
As the three-day conference concluded, participants pledged to expand grassroots climate education, promote clean energy solutions, and accelerate local innovation in green technologies.
The youth-driven agenda is expected to help shape Uganda’s official position at COP30, where global leaders will debate pathways to climate action that balance environmental urgency with social and economic justice.
“We are committed to pioneering innovative methodologies and sustainable solutions,” Pikisa added. “Uganda’s youth are no longer waiting to be included—we are leading from the front.”
With COP30 drawing closer, Uganda’s youth are positioning themselves as a critical voice for Africa—calling for climate action that is rooted in justice, resilience, and inclusion.
