The Government of Uganda has launched the Uganda National Multi-Hazard Integrated Early Warning System (U-MHIEWS) and the Uganda Anticipatory Action Roadmap (2025–2031), a national framework aimed at transforming the country's disaster management approach from reacting to emergencies after they occur to taking early, forecast-based action before disasters strike.
The roadmap was launched on Friday at Imperial Resort Beach Hotel in Entebbe by the Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Sam Engola, alongside the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Alex Kakooza, with support from the World Food Programme (WFP), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
The roadmap seeks to ensure Uganda acts on scientific forecasts and early warning information before disasters such as droughts, floods, landslides, disease outbreaks, and pest invasions escalate into humanitarian crises.
Supporting this effort is the Uganda Multi-Hazard Impact-Based Early Warning System (U-MHIEWS), a single platform that integrates information on multiple hazards and sectors to deliver timely warnings, reach more people, and enable faster, better-informed responses.
Launching the roadmap, Engola said Uganda has for years responded to disasters only after they had already caused suffering, a practice he said must change.
"The launch of the Uganda Multi-Hazard Integrated Early Warning System and the Anticipatory Action Roadmap 2025–2031 is an important milestone in our country's efforts to strengthen resilience and safeguard the well-being of our people," Engola said.
He noted that although authorities often know disasters are imminent, interventions usually begin too late.
"We know there is going to be drought and other problems, but we wait until they happen before we start acting. This roadmap is about looking ahead and taking action before lives and livelihoods are affected," he said.
Engola added that climate change is increasing both the frequency and severity of disasters, making early action more urgent than ever.
He cited the ongoing drought in Karamoja and forecasts of above-normal rainfall in other parts of the country as examples of why Uganda must strengthen disaster preparedness.
"The roadmap reflects the government's commitment to shift from reactive disaster response to proactive preparedness, protecting lives, livelihoods, national development gains, and reducing humanitarian response costs," he said.
He also urged development partners to invest in long-term resilience-building systems rather than focusing solely on short-term emergency interventions.
Permanent Secretary Alex Kakooza described the roadmap as a major step towards building a more resilient Uganda.
"Today marks an important milestone in Uganda's journey towards building a more resilient nation. This roadmap represents a clear national commitment to shift from reactive disaster response to a proactive approach that anticipates risks and takes action to protect lives and livelihoods," Kakooza said.
He noted that Uganda continues to face increasing disasters, including droughts, floods, landslides, disease outbreaks, pest infestations, conflicts, and displacement, all of which require stronger preparedness.
According to Kakooza, the roadmap aligns with Uganda's national development priorities as well as international frameworks, including the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and regional commitments under IGAD.
He said it is built around six strategic pillars: strengthening early warning systems, expanding anticipatory action, integrating disaster preparedness into government policies, improving coordination, ensuring sustainable financing, and promoting research and learning.
"Launching this roadmap today is only the beginning. Success will be measured not by this document itself, but by the lives we protect, the livelihoods we preserve, and the communities made more resilient through its implementation," he added.
Speaking on behalf of IGAD, Head of Mission Joselyn Bigirwa said Uganda's initiative would contribute significantly to strengthening disaster risk reduction efforts across the region.
"Uganda's achievements today contribute directly to the implementation of the IGAD Regional Disaster Risk Management Strategy, the African Union Programme of Action for Disaster Reduction, and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction," she said.
Bigirwa stressed that the roadmap's success would depend on implementation rather than its launch.
"Success will be measured by implementation and whether early action reduces disaster impacts before crises unfold," she said.
She pledged IGAD's continued support to Uganda through regional cooperation, operational assistance, and evidence-based decision-making.
Meanwhile, Marcus Prior, Acting Country Director of WFP Uganda, described the roadmap as a landmark achievement that demonstrates Uganda's commitment to acting before disasters occur.
"The launch of this roadmap represents more than the publication of a strategic document. It marks a national commitment to a new way of working that uses science, forecasts, risk information, and preparedness systems to protect vulnerable people before a crisis escalates," Prior said.
He said evidence consistently shows that investing in early action saves lives and significantly reduces the cost of humanitarian response.
"Acting before a predictable shock is not only more humane, it is also more cost-effective than responding after losses have already occurred," he said.
Prior revealed that WFP has already begun implementing anticipatory action in Karamoja, where drought triggers have been activated, enabling cash assistance to reach more than 35,000 vulnerable people before conditions deteriorate.
He pledged WFP's continued support to Uganda in strengthening early warning systems, disaster preparedness, and implementation of the roadmap.
The Uganda Anticipatory Action Roadmap (2025–2031) is expected to strengthen multi-hazard early warning systems, establish clear disaster triggers, improve coordination among government agencies and development partners, mobilise sustainable financing, and ensure communities receive timely support before disasters cause widespread damage.
The initiative is also expected to reduce humanitarian losses, protect livelihoods, and enhance Uganda's resilience to the growing impacts of climate change.
