Uganda has reaffirmed the importance of strengthening local governments to lead climate change adaptation and environmental conservation, highlighting the role of the Local Climate Adaptive Living (LoCAL) Facility in building resilient communities.
The message was delivered by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Mr Benjamin Kumumanya, during a side event hosted by the Ministry at the Uganda Pavilion at the ongoing COP31 climate conference in Antalya, Turkey.
Kumumanya urged Uganda’s delegation to prioritise environmental conservation and climate resilience within the country’s decentralised system of governance, emphasising the need to empower local governments to respond effectively to climate-related challenges affecting their communities.
As global climate discussions continue at COP31, Uganda is showcasing how locally led climate adaptation can translate into tangible community resilience through the LoCAL Facility, implemented by the Ministry of Local Government.
Through the initiative, Uganda is strengthening the role of local governments as frontline actors in climate adaptation by providing Performance-Based Climate Resilience Grants (PBCRGs) to finance community-prioritised investments.
The investments include climate-resilient water infrastructure, climate-smart agriculture, flood control, ecosystem restoration and livelihood enhancement initiatives.
Speaking at the event, Kumumanya underscored the importance of building on existing government systems rather than establishing parallel structures, noting that equipping local governments with the necessary resources and capacity strengthens institutions, builds resilient communities and promotes sustainable development.
The initiative is anchored in a whole-of-government approach that brings together the Ministry of Local Government, the Ministry of Water and Environment, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, other government institutions, development partners and local communities.
LoCAL also complements the Parish Development Model (PDM) by helping safeguard livelihoods, agricultural productivity and local infrastructure against climate-related shocks.
Uganda has acknowledged the support of its development partners, including the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), Denmark, Ireland, Belgium and the European Union, in advancing and scaling up the LoCAL mechanism.
Uganda’s message at COP31 is that effective climate resilience must begin at the community level, be driven by empowered local governments, nationally owned and supported through global partnerships.
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