Four Districts to Benefit from Climate Change Resilience Program
Four districts have been selected to benefit from the Local Climate Adaptive Living Facility (LoCAL) to help them address climate change resilience mechanisms.
The new districts are Bulambuli, Kitgum, Nabulatuk, and Nakapiripirti. Last year Nebbi, Nwoya, and Zombo districts were enrolled in the program.
Under this program, districts will receive more than 16 billion shillings, which they will use to increase local climate change awareness and capacities, integrate climate change adaptation into their planning and budgeting in a participatory and gender-sensitive manner. It will also increase the financing available to local governments for climate change adaptation.
Speaking at the rollout of the program, Ben Kumumanya, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, said that districts are affected by climate change citing disasters. He added that the districts tend to increase their expenses and constrain their income on development plans.
Kumumanya said that the program aligns well with the government’s objectives of the decentralization program, as it will bring policy and administrative control of services to the point of delivery, which will improve security and the sense of ownership of the programs.
He cautioned the participating districts to put the funds to good use.
Peter Okidi, the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Environment and Water, said that the program will mainstream climate change action plans into the nation’s working plans. He adds that due to the high vulnerability levels, the government is prioritizing adaptation measures.
“Our number one priority as Uganda is to channel climate funds to adaptation measures because we are very vulnerable. Adaptation to climate change is transforming from awareness to implementation phase and actual interventions on the ground with the local communities,” he said.
According to Okidi, as the government focuses on climate adaptation, local governments are the most instrumental administrative units to the initiative.
The four-year program is implemented by the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), with joint funding contributions from the European Union (EU), Belgian cooperation, Sweden, among other development partners.
Caroline Andriensen, the EU Head of Cooperation, said that they expect the local governments to implement climate-resilient infrastructure and social programs.
According to Andriensen, the implementation of the climate change resilience program had in the past been challenged by the lack of adequate funding.
“We know that the government funding to local governments is not enough to cover all the needs, so we come in to fill that gap. As development partners, we also bridge the knowledge gap as we bring expertise and experiences from other parts of the world to bring solutions that can help communities overcome the effects of climate change,” she explained.
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Four Districts to Benefit from Climate Change Resilience Program
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Ugandan Citizen Abducted, Held in Secret Detention for Three Months, Sparks Outrage and Calls for Justice
A disturbing new case of unlawful detention has surfaced, highlighting the ongoing human rights crisis in Uganda. A Ugandan citizen was reportedly abducted and held in a secret facility, known as a “safe house,” for three months, only to be released without charge or explanation. This incident, reported by NTV Uganda, has sparked widespread condemnation and renewed calls for accountability regarding human rights abuses in the country.
While the details surrounding the abduction remain unclear, reports indicate that the individual was taken without due process and held incommunicado—an action that has long been condemned by human rights organizations. The victim’s release, with no charges filed and no clear justification, has angered activists and citizens, who view this as yet another case of egregious abuse of power by the state.
“This is a recurring pattern,” said one human rights activist. “Abductions, secret detentions, and unexplained releases have become all too common in Uganda. These acts violate fundamental human rights and erode public trust in the justice system.”
The use of “safe houses,” unregistered detention facilities reportedly operated by security forces, has been a focal point in numerous allegations of torture and illegal imprisonment. Despite repeated calls from both local and international organizations for their closure and accountability for those involved, little action has been taken to address these violations.
This case underscores the urgent need for reform within Uganda’s security apparatus and greater accountability for human rights abuses. Observers hope that drawing attention to these injustices will spur concrete action to bring those responsible to justice and ensure the protection of basic human rights.
As frustration mounts, calls for both domestic and international pressure to hold the government accountable for such crimes grow louder. “One day, there must be accountability for all these crimes against our people,” stated one social media user, reflecting the sentiments of many Ugandans.
National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi has accused Ugandan security forces of using excessive force to disrupt a planned NUP gathering. The allegations were detailed in a statement shared on Twitter, following an event held to honor children of NUP supporters who were killed, disappeared, or detained for their political beliefs.
According to Kyagulanyi, security personnel, under the command of an officer identified as Asiimwe, carried out a preemptive operation early in the morning upon learning of the NUP’s plans. The forces allegedly stormed the premises, arrested workers, and deployed tear gas to disperse those present.
“The criminals under the command of one Asiimwe deployed early morning, arrested our workers, and threw tear gas into our premises. They’ve cordoned off the premises and blocked all people from accessing the place,” Kyagulanyi wrote.
Among those reportedly arrested were Saava Peter, Mudenya Samson, and Turyasingura Samson. Kyagulanyi claimed the detained workers were subjected to beatings and interrogated about their political affiliations, with security operatives labeling them as terrorists.
“These JATT operatives asked the workers who they support politically, branding them terrorists and criminals—their only crime being that they work with us. You can imagine the indignity!” Kyagulanyi lamented.
This incident adds to the growing tension in Uganda’s political climate, where opposition parties frequently accuse the government of stifling dissent. Despite the challenges, Kyagulanyi ended his statement with a message of defiance and optimism, proclaiming, “UGANDA WILL BE FREE.”
NUP Gathering Disrupted: Kyagulanyi Alleges Security Force Harassment and Arrests
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Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum
Sudan has demanded an official apology from Uganda over “offensive and dangerous” comments made by the chief of Uganda army staff, who threated to invade Khartoum, the Sudan Tribune has reported.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and CDF of the Ugandan army, posted two comments on the X platform on Tuesday in which he threatened “to capture Khartoum” with the support of the US President elect Donald Trump after he takes office. The posts were deleted later.
“The government of Sudan demands and official apology from the Ugandan government for the offensive and dangerous comments of the army commander,” Sudan’s foreign ministry said in a statement that the Sudan Tribune said it has seen.
Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum