The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in partnership with Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Roofings Limited, Volcano Energy and Fresh Yard has launched a climate action initiative aimed at empowering young people to take part in environmental conservation.
The ‘My Green Action’ campaign, launched at Kitante Hill School in Kampala, will engage students from 10 schools through tree planting, environmental awareness activities, digital engagement and community outreach aimed at promoting environmental stewardship.
The initiative seeks to equip young people with practical skills to respond to climate change challenges while encouraging them to take action within their schools and communities.
Speaking at the launch, Deputy Executive Director of KCCA, Benon Kigenyi, said the campaign was important in addressing environmental challenges facing Kampala, particularly air pollution.
He said pollution remains one of the city’s major challenges and requires collective action from government, communities, private sector players and young people.
“There are many challenges in this city, but one of those that is least spoken about is the issue of pollution, particularly air pollution,” Kigenyi said.
He noted that Kampala has been listed among cities facing severe air pollution challenges globally, warning that poor air quality exposes residents to health risks.
“That must worry you and me because air pollution exposes us to a lot of diseases,” he said.
Kigenyi said KCCA was committed to improving environmental quality through its Directorate of Public Health and Environment, but emphasized that the authority could not succeed without public involvement.
“KCCA alone would fail if we do not have anchors in the people whose tomorrow can only be guaranteed by a good environment,” he said.
He added that the campaign complements the city’s climate strategy, which seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 22 percent by 2030 and support Kampala’s transition to a low-carbon future.
Kigenyi said KCCA was implementing initiatives such as the Kampala Urban Forest Management Plan, which focuses on protecting existing green spaces while increasing tree cover across the city.
He encouraged residents, schools and institutions to plant trees as part of efforts to create a greener and more liveable Kampala.
“We cannot take KCCA to Mabira or Budongo, but we can increase tree cover and make Kampala green and livable,” he said.
He also highlighted other interventions, including the introduction of electric buses and expansion of non-motorised transport corridors to encourage walking and cycling while reducing carbon emissions.
Kigenyi commended UNICEF and other partners for supporting the My Green Action campaign, saying it would help young people become environmental ambassadors.
“Building a greener, cleaner and more resilient future is a shared responsibility which requires collective commitment and action,” he said.
Fatuma Namukose, the U-Report Programme Manager at UNICEF Uganda, said the campaign was designed to increase youth participation in climate action.
She said UNICEF believes young people have the ability to influence positive change when equipped with the right knowledge and skills.
“We believe that power is in the young people. If we change the minds of young people by training and skilling them, we stand a higher chance of changing the world,” Namukose said.
She explained that UNICEF’s U-Report platform provides young people with opportunities to share their views and participate in issues affecting their communities.
Namukose said UNICEF also uses the Fundoo learning platform to equip young people with skills, including green skills, that enable them to promote climate action in their daily lives.
She said tree planting was among the practical activities introduced under the campaign to help young people understand the importance of protecting the environment.
“We sit under shades, eat fruits from trees and do many things with trees, but sometimes young people don’t question themselves how the trees which are useful to them came about,” she said.
She challenged students to plant trees today so that future generations can benefit from them.
The Headteacher of Kitante Hill School, Samuel Kamukamu Balwana, said the initiative aligns with Uganda’s secondary school curriculum, which promotes responsible citizenship and environmental awareness.
He said subjects such as agriculture, biology and geography already introduce learners to issues including climate change, conservation, natural resource management and sustainable development.
Balwana said the campaign provides students with practical opportunities to apply classroom knowledge through environmental activities.
“The My Green Action Campaign complements classroom learning by providing practical opportunities for students to translate knowledge into meaningful environmental action,” he said.
He added that school environmental clubs already encourage activities such as tree planting, plastic recycling and environmental clean-ups.
Balwana pledged that Kitante Hill School would maintain the tree planted during the launch as a symbol of its commitment to environmental sustainability.
“We pledge to nurture the tree planted today so that when you return, you'll find a thriving forest, a lasting symbol of our commitment to environmental sustainability,” he said.
Meanwhile, Pearl Kobusingye, Lead Coordinator at Fresh Yard, said the organisation would support schools to establish vegetable gardens as part of promoting environmental conservation and nutrition.
She said climate change has a direct impact on food production and nutrition, making it important for schools to adopt sustainable food practices.
“Climate change affects nutrition and food production. We are supporting schools to have functional vegetable gardens to support nutrition while also protecting the environment,” Kobusingye said.
The My Green Action campaign will be implemented across schools in Kampala and aims to inspire young people to become active participants in climate action, environmental protection and sustainable urban living.