Uganda has received a landmark $31 million (Shs107 billion) grant from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) in recognition of its verified success in reducing deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions, becoming the first African nation to benefit from the Fund’s results-based payment programme.
The agreement, signed by Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Matia Kasaija, will channel funds into restoring green belts and rehabilitating degraded forest reserves across central and northern Uganda.
The grant follows the presentation of Uganda’s “REDD-plus Results-Based Payment for Emission Reductions (2016–2017)” project at the 43rd GCF Board meeting held from October 27–30, 2025, in Songdo, Republic of Korea.
Government data indicates that Uganda reduced over 8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent between 2016 and 2017 through targeted forest protection and sustainable land management programmes.
“This is a major milestone for Uganda’s climate action,” the Ministry of Finance said in a statement. “It reflects our unwavering commitment to restoring forests, protecting biodiversity, and empowering local communities who depend on these ecosystems for their livelihoods.”
The Minister of Water and Environment hailed the grant as “a vote of confidence in Uganda’s leadership on forest governance and its ability to deliver measurable climate results.”
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations will implement the project in collaboration with the Ministry of Water and Environment.
FAO Uganda Representative Antonio Querido praised the partnership, saying, “Uganda’s results show that when communities, government, and development partners work together, we can restore nature and reduce emissions at scale.”
The USD 31 million will support a range of green initiatives, including sustainable land management, forest restoration, community woodlots, and climate-smart fuelwood production.
A portion will also be used to strengthen Uganda’s monitoring, reporting, and verification systems for greater transparency and accountability.
Officials said the project aligns with Uganda’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement and complements its broader climate resilience agenda.
“Our forests are not just trees—they are our shield against climate shocks,” the Minister added.
“This grant is not just recognition of past achievements but an investment in our collective future.”
The funding cements Uganda’s status as a continental leader in climate-smart forestry and offers a model for other nations seeking to balance economic growth with environmental protection.