Agriculture + Forestry = Agroforestry.

Growing trees and agricultural crops together in a complementary relationship has been happening for thousands of years. In this episode we hear from two locations: Bukerekere Village in Central Uganda and Rhino Camp Refugee Settement in the Arua District, in the north west of the country. From these geographically distinct areas we hear first-hand how agroforestry works, and why it's one way communities can practice sustainable and profitable agriculture in a changing climate.

With agronomist Brian Namanya and Cathy Watson of World Agroforestry.

You can find out more about the work of World Agroforestry here:
https://www.worldagroforestry.org/staff/cathy-watson

Between 75% and 80% of women provide farm labor in Uganda, yet only around 25% of women own land in their own right. Josephine Karungi examines how this impacts the ability of women to adapt to climate change, and the knock on effects on family wellbeing. We hear from farmer Kyomuhendo Annet Katusiime in Buwanuka, on how a changing climate necessitates new approaches to farming; and from Carol Kayanja of the Uganda Community Based Association for Women and Children Welfare about the ways climate change affects women differently to men.

You can find UCOBAC (Uganda Community Based Association for Women and Children Welfare) here:

https://ucobac.org/

Want to drop us a line? climatetalkpod@gmail.com is the place to go.
If you like this episode, let your friends know - share it on your socials, or give us a review. It makes a huge difference! Thanks.

Climate Talk is part of the Climate Smart Jobs Initiative - you can find out more about that here:
https://csj.co.ug/

The compelling Agnes Kirabo of Uganda's Food RIghts Alliance joins us this week from the Africa Food Systems Forum in Kigali, with her take on the conversations happening there around climate change, hunger and nutrition. She shares a tip from her mother on the best time for planting, and her own perspectives on the challenges and opportunities that climate change is bringing to Uganda. Our in-depth chat was recorded in June of this year - the first of many, we hope, with one of the most dynamic and articulate voices in Uganda.

Agnes Kirabo is the Executive Director of the Food Rights Alliance, and has a long history of fighting for the eradication of hunger and malnutrition. You can find out more about the work of the Food RIghts Alliance here:

https://fra.ug/

And the Africa Food Systems Forum here:

https://agrf.org/

And as always, if you'd like to get in touch, drop us a line:

climatetalkpod@gmail.com

Gerald Tenywa has been reporting for the last two decades on wildlife, ivory trafficking, forests, wetlands, pollution, oil, land, water and climate change. Ole Rasmussen is currently head of the Green Economy Team with Royal Danish Embassy in Uganda. We talk about how they first started working on climate change issues; what they've witnessed as communities are forced to adapt to sudden change; making sense of adaptation while still making a living. And how a rapidly changing climate may affect the coffee growing areas in Uganda - something I'm really keen on finding out more about in future episodes.

You can find links to some of Gerald Tenywa's work here:
https://muckrack.com/gerald-tenywa

And the work of the Danish Embassy in Uganda here:
https://uganda.um.dk/en

Achilles Byaruhanga is the Executive Director of Nature Uganda, and he's an amazing person to listen to. This conversation with Josephine Karungi begins with the resilience and beauty of Marabou Storks (yes, you heard that right) and quickly moves on to the magical nature of wetlands, the vital importance of birdlife in Ugandan ecosystems, water resources and climate change, and the economic opportunties presented by the natural world in Uganda. It's a fantastic listen, and we hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

You can find out more about the work of Nature Uganda here:
https://natureuganda.org/

As always, want to drop us a line? climatetalkpod@gmail.com is the place to go.

If you like this episode, let your friends know - share it on your socials, or give us a review. It makes a huge difference! Thanks.

Climate Talk is part of the Climate Smart Jobs Initiative - you can find out more about that here:
https://csj.co.ug/

We begin this episode in Koboko, about 55 miles north of Arua, where we hear from two women about how they balance their many obligations, and how climate chance is making that more challenging. We also speak with Betty Ikanza, a Social Development Advisor with the British High Commission Kampala. She highlights how climate change impacts women in particular, and how communities are developing strategies to adapt to these changing circumstances.

Want to drop us a line? climatetalkpod@gmail.com is the place to go.

If you like this episode, let your friends know - share it on your socials, or give us a review. It makes a huge difference! Thanks.

Climate Talk is part of the Climate Smart Jobs Initiative - you can find out more about that here:
https://csj.co.ug/

Smallholder farmers are at the business end of climate change - it affects their everyday lives in profound ways. In this episode we hear their testimonies. And Josephine chats with Xavier Ejoyi, Uganda Country Director for Action Aid, about what he's learning about resilient communities across Northern Uganda as they work to adapt to a changing climate.

Want to drop us a line? climatetalkpod@gmail.com is the place to go.

If you like this episode, let your friends know - share it on your socials, or give us a review. It makes a huge difference! Thanks.

Climate Talk is part of the Climate Smart Jobs Initiative - you can find out more about that here:
https://csj.co.ug/

And you can find out more about Xavier and the work Action Aid are doing around climate change by visiting their website:
https://uganda.actionaid.org/

In this episode we hear from Kenneth Tibamanya, an agricultural extension worker, about serving communities in Kiryandongo District as they face the ongoing impacts of climate change. And we get a broader perspective on agriculture and climate from former Minister of Agriculture for Uganda, Honorable Dr. Victoria Sekitoleko. As a passionate advocate for farming communities, she talks about what she's seeing in communities across Uganda.

Want to drop us a line? climatetalkpod@gmail.com is the place to go.

If you like this episode, let your friends know - share it on your socials, or give us a review. It makes a huge difference! Thanks.

Climate Talk is part of the Climate Smart Jobs Initiative - you can find out more about that here:
https://csj.co.ug/

Teddy Aine is a student based in Kampala, Joel Cherop is a farmer and entrepreneur from the Sebei ranges of Mt Elgon, and Taban Malis George is a student at Victoria University with a background in aviation management. Toegther with William Ssekiranda of the production team they offer their reflections on our first few episodes, and how their thinking around climate change is evolving.

We'll be making a habit of this kind of thing - hearing from listeners about the podcast. If you'd like to take part, drop us a line. climatetalkpod@gmail.com is the address.

And you can send us your video and audio clips about how climate change is affecting your community, and we may feature them in future episodes.

Special thanks to our guests this week: Teddy Aine, Joel Cherop and Taban Malis George.

Too much water. Too Little water. Water in all the wrong places, at the wrong times. That pretty much sums up global rainfall in the age of climate change. This week we explore the particular challenges we face in Uganda in adapting to unpredictable and extreme rainfall events. Joining us is Makerere University PhD candidate Judith Kobusinge, who shares her knowledge of the water cycle, how it's disrupted by a rapidly changing climate, and how various types of irrigation can help to alleviate disruptions caused by water scarcity.

If you want to know more about how crop yields may be affected by climate change, you can find the Hannah Ritchie article that we refer to below. It's fascinating.

Hannah Ritchie (2024) - “How will climate change affect crop yields in the future?” Published online at OurWorldinData.org. Retrieved from: 'https://ourworldindata.org/will-climate-change-affect-crop-yields-future' [Online Resource]

Dealing with waste water - it's not glamourous but there are opportunities. From storing water for use in irrigation to treating it for re-use. Featuring Julius Musiimenta, who's been a sanitation and hydraulics consultant for many years. A graduate of Makerere University and IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, he is currently working on a range of solutions dealing with water management in a climate change context.

'The bridge that was designed for 1960 can not be the same bridge for today.' Sanitary engineer and water management specialist Julius Musiimenta talks to Josephine about all aspects of what happens to water when it arrives in large amounts at unpredictable times, how it impacts infrastructure and how it can be best dealt with in an uncertain future.

Julius Musiimenta has been a sanitation and hydraulics consultant for many years. A graduate of Makerere University and IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, he is currently working on a range of solutions dealing with water management in a climate change context.

Following on from our main episode this week, Dr Max Kigobe of Makerere University talks about researching historical rainfall patterns, modeling future rainfall events, and why he first got interested in understanding Uganda's climate.

Drains, culverts, pipes and ditches: facilities you probably never think about. But vital to ensuring that Uganda is able to cope with the increased number and intensity of rainfall events brought on by climate change.

What it comes down to is this: there's an urgent, ongoing need for integrated planning at all levels if Uganda is to successfully adapt to the challenges of climate change. So says our guest, Dr Max Kigobe of Makerere University. He's en engineer by training and has worked on major infrastructure projects, so he brings an engineer's insights alongside experience in analysing historical patterns of rainfall in the country. Dr Kigobe has extensive experience in water resource and climate change modelling, and is currently a Senior Lecturer in Water Resources, Hydrology and Climate Change at Makerere University.

This is the first of two linked episodes in which we're asking engineers for their insights into infrastructure design and climate change.

You can find some of Dr Max Kigobe's research papers here:

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Max-Kigobe

And you can get in touch with us here: climatetalkpod@gmail.com

Deep stuff in this conversation. As a prelude to the next few episodes that'll explore climate change, infrastructure and transportation, we touch on the background to climate change in Uganda; agriculture, engineering and bridges; organisational thinking, the politics of climate change and economic justice.

Professor Revocatus Twinomuhangi is Associate Professor and Dean of the School of Forestry, Environmental and Geographical Sciences at Makerere University. Nick Pyatt is a Director of Climate Sense, and works with governments, agencies, infrastructure operators, construction, manufacturing, trade and financial services companies to strengthen their climate adaptation decision making processes.

You can find several of Professor Revocatus Twinomuhangi's research papers here, including 'Contextualising environmental and climate change migration in Uganda' and the fascinating 'Heat Risk Perception and Communication Strategies for Adaptation within Low-Income Communities in Kampala City, Uganda.'
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Revocatus-Twinomuhangi

Nick Pyatt is a director of Climate Sense - you can find out more information here:
https://www.climatesense.global/

Going to work, school or shopping, cycling can be the easiest way to get around a congested city. As long as you can do it without fear of dying. Activist, community educator and avid cyclist Owiny Hakim explains what it's like to cycle in Kampala and why an integrated, comprehensive approach to making cycling easier and safer could pay huge dividends in the future. As the city grapples with the consquences of climate change, it turns out two wheels might be better than four.

And Climate Talk's William Ssekiranda shares his experience of a narrow escape after a bicyle accident a few years ago.

You can find out more about Hakim's work here:

https://kiu.ac.ug/news-page.php?i=kius-hakim-owiny-wants-to-turn-kampala-into-a-smart-city

and here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/owiny-hakim-966064243/?originalSubdomain=ug

Only the USA and China produce more greenhouse gases than food wastage. According to FAO estimates, the food that is lost and wasted could feed 1.26 billion hungry people every year. Brett Rierson has spent many years in the agricultural sector in Africa, and he's got some great perspectives on the causes of food wastage, how exactly it makes climate change worse, and what can be done to stop it. And you know, it turns out there are some very simple solutions that can make a very big impact.

This is the first of two linked episodes - the second will feature two Ugandan entrepreneurs who are developing accessible, innovative ways of combatting post harvest food wastage by prolonging the shelf life of fruit and vegetables.

If you'd like to get hold of some of the bags and other storage equipment Brett mentioned, you can contact the supplier here:
Belinda Celeste at SmilePlast: 0751-890-890

If you'd like to read more about food waste from the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation in 2022, you can find it here:
https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/fao-unep-agriculture-environment-food-loss-waste-day-2022/en

And more info about some of the solutions Brett was speaking about can be found here:

From the World Food Programme, "Empowering smallholder farmers to reduce post-harvest loss":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7mNzlqtFm8&t

Properly Storing Dried Grains and Legumes Using Hermetically Sealed Bags:
https://youtu.be/1KIO-P1ZsL8?si=67o67q9_Pet4WLOu

Information about YieldWise, a Rockerfeller Foundation (USA) funded initiative to eliminate wastage:
https://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/initiative/yieldwise/

Felix Muchiri of Green Hub East Africa discusses the benefits of boda-bodas that are not powered by petrol engines in a city where climate change impacts can be intense. 'We envision a time when the skies in Kampala can just be blue,' he says. Felix is a mechatronics and electronics engineer, and a passionate advocate for electric boda-bodas as one way of creating a sustainable, climate friendly transportation system in Uganda and East Africa.

Felix also describes Green Hub East Africa's partnership with an innovative programme designed to give women access to careers as riders of electric boda-bodas, and the economic empowerment it provides. It's called the Women on Wheels project, and you can find out more about it here:
https://womenrisingforafrica.org/women-on-wheels-empowering-women-in-uganda/

It's a fascinating conversation offering insights into how climate solutions can be engines for innovation, economic and social empowerment.

Felix Muchiri is a Project Manager at Green Hub East Africa
https://greenhubev.com/

Their partners include Glovo, and Safe Boda. You can find out more about Safe Boda here:
https://www.safeboda.com/

Janet Kantalama Kantana joins Josephine to talk about how we can understand mental health challenges in the age of climate change. We explore how our inner wellbeing is affected when day to day life is disrupted by intense or unpredictable weather events. And we talk about measures we can take - individually and collectively - to make sure we are mentally resilient in those circumstances.

Janet Kantalama Kantana is a psychologist and Executive Director of Safe Places Uganda. It's a private facility helping people deal with mental health issues and addiction. You can find out more about Safe Places here:

https://safeplacesuganda.com/about-us/

Surges in malaria and other diseases; damage to clinics and other physical infrastructure; decreased access to immunisation and mental health services; illnesses due to increased heat and humidity; declining maternal and child health outcomes. These are just some of the health related impacts of climate change. In the first in a series of episodes focusing on health, Dr Didacus B. Namanya explains how the government of Uganda monitors these public health impacts, and is working on adaptation strategies for the future.

Dr Didacus B. Namanya (MSc., PhD. Public Health) is a geographer and is Focal Point (Climate Change and Health, and GIS) for the
Ministry of Health in the Government of Uganda.

You can find the Health National Adaptation Plan - which Dr Didacus Namanya talks about - here:
https://library.health.go.ug/environmental-health/climate-change/health-national-adaptation-plan-h-nap

Over the past few weeks we've been exploring fluctuations in the price of food and other commodities like coffee and cocoa. In this episode we're taking a step back and revisiting the causes of climate change, the need for adaptation, and the importance of integrated policy approaches from government. Our guest is Anthony Kagoro, who is a Climate Change Specialist at the Food and Agriculture Organization in Uganda.

Tracing the connections between the price of the food you put on your table, global commodity markets, local conditions and climate change is incredibly complex. Today we have probably Uganda's most important expert in the field joing us. Professor Bernard Bashaasha is Professor of Agricultural and Development Economics at Makerere University College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences‬. He has many years of experience analysing agriculture in Uganda and what makes it tick. And he shares his understandings with us in this episode.

Matoke! Irish potatoes! Mangoes! What more could you want?

The on-the-ground impacts of price fluctuations on these foods are felt day to day and season to season by traders in the markets around Kampala. William Ssekiranda speaks to three traders at Kalerwe Market about where they source their produce and how price variations affect them.

The price of coffee and many staple foods in Uganda have been rising steeply: good news for sellers (farmers), not so good news for consumers. And these price rises have been attributed to extreme weather due to climate change. In the first of two episodes, Josephine explores this link, and what it means for growing and selling coffee in Uganda and beyond. In our next episode we'll be looking at the price of food staples and attempting to understand the links between local conditions and global markets. It's complicated but utterly fascinating. So don't miss it.

This episode was recorded live at One Tribe Coffee Shop at 1 Bugologi Road, Kampala. They're open Monday - Saturday from 7:30am-6pm. Thanks so much to Gail Mawocha and the team there for making us so welcome. And thanks, also, Robert Byaruhanga.

You can see what's happening at One Tribe Coffee on their Insta page and website.
https://www.instagram.com/onetribe_coffee/
www.onetribecoffee.com

And you can find out more about the Uganda Coffee Development Authority here:
https://ugandacoffee.go.ug/

Producer: Martin Fowler
Sound Recordist: William Ssekiranda

Nicholas Najuna and Namutebi Muniirah are each developing new technologies to deal with aspects of climate change that particularly affect small holder farmers. Nicholas is founder and CEO of Afrotym, developing what they refer to as a 'waterbank' - a natural, biodegradable way of storing moisture within the soil. Namutebi Muniirah is co-founder of Umuntu Agrobiotics where her team has been developing Bio-Blend, a low cost microbial solution designed to increase soil productivity.

Both guests are beneficiaries of The Uganda Climate Innovation Fund - helping them develop their products and bring them to market. You can find out more about the Climate Innovation Fund here:

https://csj.co.ug/page/about-ucif

...and details of what the fund covers here:

https://csj.co.ug/page/available-support

Controlling the ripening of fruits and vegetables could be a major step forward in securing incomes for farmer and traders, as well as mitigating the impacts of climate change on the entire production chain. In this episode two traders from Kasubi Market in Kampala talk to WIlliam Ssekiranda about the challenges posed by the perish-ability of the produce they sell.

Then we hear from two Ugandan innovators who are developing ways of extending the shelf-life of fresh produce. Annet Diana Nanono and Gift Arnold Mugisha are developing their solutions with support from the Uganda Climate Innovation Fund.

You can find out more about their innovations here:

You can find out more about the Uganda Climate Innovation Fund here:

https://csj.co.ug/page/about-ucif

...and details of what the fund covers here:

https://csj.co.ug/page/available-support

The 23rd to the 31st July 2025 saw the 15th meeting of the Conference on Wetlands in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. The Wetlands COP15's theme was "Protecting Wetlands for our Common Future," and today's guest was one of Uganda's representatives.

Asadhu Ssebyoto is a Senior Wetlands Officer in the Ugandan Ministry of Water and Environment. And to say he's a man with a passion for wetland preservation would be an understatement: to use his own words, it's a subject he eats, drinks and sleeps.

In this episode he talks us through the common types of wetlands found in Uganda, how we should understand their importance, and why long term preservation is only possible when the livelihoods of local communities are taken into account.

You can find out more about the Wetlands COP15 here:

https://www.wetlandscop15.gov.zw/

Thanks as always to our guest, Asadhu Ssebyoto, and thanks to you for listening.

In this in-depth interview, Pauline Nantongo Kalunda talks to us about her own personal and professional growth. She has moved from being a scientist with a specialist interest in insects to entreprenurial activism and passionate advocacy for smallholding communities. She details the workings of the ECOTRUST model of incentivising environmentally sustainable practices, and offers many other fascinating insights along the way.

Pauline is the Executive Director of the Environmental Conservation Trust of Uganda: ECOTRUST. You can find out more about their work here:

https://ecotrust.or.ug/about-us/

This interview was recorded in August 2024.

Where to start with this amazing episode? Clarity, insight and perspective from Dr. John Bosco Isunju, of Makerere University, on the hazards we face as humans in the face of climate change, and the unique challenges that will shape the future of life in Uganda.

Dr. John Bosco Isunju brings a formidable depth of knowledge to these subjects, having worked across many areas of public health from environmental pollution, geospatial health, disaster risk reduction, and infection prevention to issues around occupational safety and health, and safe water and sanitation. And many other points in between.

Dr. Isunju recently led the Climate change vulnerability and adaptation assessment and development of Uganda's Health National Adaptation Plan. He is a member of the WHO Global Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health.

At Makerere University, he is a cluster lead of the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA)’s
Nature-Based Solutions cluster for climate change adaptation. He is a member of the Editorial
Board for the Makerere University Press. He also serves on the Grants and Research Capacity
Building Committee and is the Secretary for the MakSPH Research and Ethics Committee. He is
a Focal Person for the Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa, where he also
serves on the Board of Management.

As always, thanks to all of you for listening - if you'd like to drop us a line please do: climatetalkpod@gmail.com is where you'll find us.

This week we're turning our attention back to some of the broader questions around health and climate change. Crispus Mwemaho has a background in health services, and he's co-founder with Ivan Rwomukitomaof the Abayuuti Climate Action Network. He joined me in the studio last week to talk about the work the Abayuuti Climate Action Network does with people who have been displaced by flooding in Uganda.
But first, I asked Crispus Mwemaho what inspired him to focus on the ways climate change, climate mobility, and health intersect.

You can find out more about the Abayuuti Climate Action Network here:
https://www.abayuuti.org/

Kampala Climate Cafe on Instagram:
@kampalaclimatecafe

And you can find a fascinating article on mental health and climate displacement written by Crispus Mwemaho here:
Displaced and Distressed: Uncovering the Mental Impacts of Climate Displacement in Uganda

This is a timely and profound exploration of the strategies, passions and frustrations of environmental activism over a long period of time. Founded in 1983, Joint Energy Environment Projects exists to promote efficient use of natural resources and prevent the destruction of forests. Forty years after its founding, how does the CEO, Ruth Kiwanuka, reflect on her experiences; the progress that has been made; and the challenges that remain?

You can hear Ruth Kiwanuka speak about Joint Energy Environment Projects in this video from 2020:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0QUZwRK3ro

And you can find out more about the work of JEEP and its partners here:

https://jeepfolkecenter.org/about/

As always, thanks for listening, and drop us a line any time: climatetalkpod@gmail.com

How do you prepare for outbreaks of malaria if climate change means that mosquitoes which spread the disease are thriving in areas that were previously off limits? When it comes to public health, climate change makes a tricky situation even more difficult.

In this episode Dr Muganzi David Jolly and Dr Ian Clarke discuss how AI might play a role in helpiing Uganda meet this challenge. Dr Muganzi David Jolly is the Health Innovation Hub manager at Clarke International University here in Kampala. Dr Ian Clarke is an Irish-born doctor, entrpreneur, and coffee farmer. In this wide-ranging conversation we touch on many aspects of the healthcare landscape in Uganda, and the idea that climate change can be a driving force for innovation.

You can find out more about Clarke International University here:
https://ciu.ac.ug/?s5_responsive_switch_wwwihsuacug=0

And you can find a brief profile of Dr Muganzi David Jolly here:
https://wayforwardyouth.org/muganzi_david

And as always, if you'd like to get in touch, climatetalkpod@gmail.com is where you'll find us.

This is the story of how Halima Nalunkuma decided to become a provider of agricultural materials - and knowledge - to farmers. And how she's now working with refugeee communities to encourage minimal tilling agricultural methods, leading to improved yields and increased economic wellbeing in those communities. And crucially, improving their resilience in the face of climate change.

Halima Nalunkuma is Director of Kiryandongo Agro Input Center Limited. She's a great talker, equal parts inspiring, thoughtful and insighful, and as she mentions in our chat, she received support from the Climate Smart Jobs Initiative. It supports '...sustainable solutions for Ugandan smallholder farmers to respond to climate change.' You can find out more about the Climate Smart Jobs programme here:

https://csj.co.ug/

Climate Smart Jobs is also the funder of this podcast. Thanks to Halima Nalunkuma for being so generous with her time and knowledge. Drop us a line any time - climatetalkpod@gmail.com

Thanks for listening and see you next time -

Josephine

Sometimes life happens while you're busy making other plans. Halima Nalunkuma wanted to be a banker and to 'wear shoes with pointy heels.' But while in Kiryandongo she saw an opportunity and grabbed it with both hands. This is the story of how she's now working with refugeee communities to encourage minimal tilling agricultural methods, leading to improved yields and increased economic wellbeing in those communities. And crucially, improving their resilience in the face of climate change.

Halima Nalunkuma is Director of Kiryandongo Agro Input Center Limited. She's a great talker, equal parts inspiring, thoughtful and insighful, and as she mentions in our chat, she received support from the Climate Smart Jobs Initiative. It supports '...sustainable solutions for Ugandan smallholder farmers to respond to climate change.' You can find out more about the Climate Smart Jobs programme here:

https://csj.co.ug/

Climate Smart Jobs is also the funder of this podcast. Thanks to Halima Nalunkuma for being so generous with her time and knowledge. Drop us a line any time - climatetalkpod@gmail.com

Thanks for listening and see you next time -

Josephine

The future of the world's freshwater resources in an unpredictably changing climate is a vital issue. Vanessa Thompson, Communication and Development Advisor for Join For Water, Africa, joins us to outline what we might expect from COP30. She also describes the work Join For Water is currently doing in Uganda, and why it matters.

You can find out more about the work of Join For Water here:

https://joinforwater.ngo/en/about/uganda/

And all the latest info from COP30 is here:

https://unfccc.int/cop30

Thanks for listening and see you soon.

As COP30 gets up to speed we're joined by Jackson Muhindo Rukara of OXFAM Uganda. Before he leaves for Belem on Friday 14th he gives us a rundown on the priorities for OXFAM and other African countries. With an over-arching emphasis on payments for loss and damage, he identifies the key objectives that can make this happen. Despite the difficluties, he's excited and optimistic about the possiblity for positive outcomes, and gives us a few examples of work now underway in Uganda as a result of previous COP meetings.

You can find a rundown of OXFAM's events and partner events here:
https://www.oxfam.org/en/oxfam-and-partners-cop30-featured-and-parallel-events

Climate Action Network Uganda which Jasckon spoke about is here:
https://can.ug/

And here's the official page for COP30:
https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/cop30

Keep an eye out for our ongoing episodes from COP over the next couple of weeks, and drop us a line anytime. climatetalkpod@gmail.com is where you'll find us. Thanks, and see you soon.

The first of a series of special episodes on the UN Conference of Parties in Brazil - COP30 - the world's biggest climate shindig. I mean conference. In this first episode we hear three perspectives on what it's like to go to a COP (70,000+ people went to the one last year in Baku...that's a lot of sandwiches...), what goes on there and why it matters.

Dr Francis Mwesigye is a Chief Economist at Uganda Development Bank; Andrew Aijuka is a journalist and multimedia producer with InfoNile; and Peninah Atwine of Environment Alert represents the collective interests of Ugandan civil society groups. Together they begin to paint a picture for us of this extraordinary annual gathering of world leaders, thought leaders and innovators; governments and non-governmental organisations; lobbyists, academics, chancers and pretty much every other specialism you can think of.

You can find out more about the Uganda Development Bank here:
https://www.udbl.co.ug/

Peninah Atwine is a Program Office for Environment Alert - you can find out more about that organisation's work here:
https://envalert.org

Thanks to our guests on this episode - do get in touch if there's something to do with COP that you've always wanted to ask.

climatetalkpod@gmail.com

And thanks. See you next time.

A conversation about a report from the World Bank might not be your idea of a fun time. But as Cyril Desponts explains, the Uganda Country Climate and Development Report is fascinating, and a significant step on the journey towards a climate resilient future for the country. It's a journey that's already underway and, as this conversation reveals, it touches on every aspect of Ugandan society from economics to agriculture, infrastructure to education, health to innovation. This is an epic take on where we're at and where we're going.

You can find the report itself here. Weirdly, at this point it seem that it's only avalable in English.
https://documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-reports/documentdetail/099062825014052486

Our heartfelt thanks to Cyril Desponts, Senior Economist at The World Bank.
And thanks to you for listening. As ever, drop us a line if you'd like us to focus on something climate change related that's important to you. Our email, climatetalkpod@gmail.com
See you next time.
JK.

Veteran journalist Samuel Ssettumba explains why informed, dedicated climate change coverage matters in 2025. The Nation Media Group now has a dedicated Climate Change Desk. He gives us an inside perspective on why that's a huge step forward for Uganda: making climate change reporting a priority and explaining it in ways that will make sense to Ugandans as they think about their everyday lives. We talk about the impacts of climate change on people and how they live; communicating those impacts to different communities; and presenting complex issues in ways that show that climate change is not abstract - it's about people: 'My mother, my grandfather.'

The Nation Media Group's Climate Change Desk was established in partnership with the parent organisation of this podcast, the Climate Smart Jobs Project.

You can find out more about the Nation Media Group here:
https://www.nationmedia.com/

And you can find the Climate Smart Jobs project here:
https://csj.co.ug/

Thanks so much to Samual Ssettumba for joining us for this episode.
Drop us a line any time at climatetalkpod@gmail.com
And we'll see you next time.

Amayiko Martin's three part documentary aired on Radio Simba. It's called 'Sub-counties are in tears - assailants destroyed over 300 hectares of Nkambwe Forest.' He joins us on Climate Talk Uganda to talk about the story of the destruction and restoration of the forest, how communities reacted to his documentary, and how it feels to win such a high profile award for his work. It's a fascinating glimpse of the commitment it takes to report well on climate change and respect the communities you work with.

You can fnd out more about the other Uganda National Journalism Award winners here:
https://acme-ug.org/2025/05/29/uganda-national-journalism-awards-2025-meet-the-winners/

As always, thanks to all of you for listening - if you'd like to drop us a line please do: climatetalkpod@gmail.com is where you'll find us.

On July 1st 2025 USAID officially shut down. For many countries around the world it represents a massive blow to a range of development programmes covering everything from health, agriculture and education to governance and climate change mitigation. In today's compelling episode, Robert Bagyenda joins us to share his insights into the likely consequences of this change. At the time of USAID's closure Robert was the team leader for the Environment Climate and Engineering Unit.

Here you can fiind a report published in The Lancet in 2025 forecasting that the closure of USAID could lead to the deaths of as many as 14,000,000 people.

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)01186-9/fulltext

And you can find the shuttered USAID website here -

https://www.usaid.gov/

Mulching. Doesn't sound so...exciting. But trust me, this is a totally compelling conversation.

It's about 'Pfumvudza,' a conservation-based approach to agriculture that makes small parcels of land more productive through minimum tillage, mulching, crop rotation, and timely planting. Because it is focused on small plots of land, it can be especially effective in helping smallholder famrers and others with limited access to land - members of refguee communities, for instance.

On their recent training visit to Uganda, I spoke with William Tom and Maqhawe Mthembu of Foundations for Farming. They're based in Zimbabwe, where pfumvudza has been in operation for some time. On this visit they were training communities in northern Uganda in effective use of pfumvudza. They explain the philosphical basis of the approach and the nuts and bolts of making it work. As explained on the Foundations for Farming Website, pfumvudza has some distinct characteristics:

'To succeed, farmers follow the Foundations for Farming principles:

• Do everything On Time
• At a High Standard
• Without Wastage
• And With Joy

And remember the key conservation practices:

• Minimal soil disturbance – no ploughing, only planting basins
• Maximum soil cover – no burning, always mulch
• Crop rotation – maintain fertility and break pest cycles
• High management – plan, measure, and care faithfully'

Maqhawe and William argue that it offers an opportunity for smallholders from every community to make their land more productive, and eliminate food insecurity at a family level.

You can find out more here:
https://foundationsforfarming.org.zw/?page_id=10087

Speical thanks to our guests for this epsiode - William Tom and Maqhawe Mthembu - for a fascinating and illuminating conversation. And as always, thanks to you for listening.
Drop us a line anytime - climatetalkpod@gmail.com

And see you next time,

Josephine

To enable smallholder farmers to become resilient to climate change, they must be encouraged to view farming as a business. That's the key thrust of the argument put forth by Hon Chance Kabaghe in this episode of Climate Talk Uganda.

While visiting Uganda as a guest of the Climate Smart Jobs Initiative, Hon Chance Kabaghe's draws on his experience as an agricultural economist, large scale farmer, businessman, politician and academic. Amongst many roles, he is a former Minister for Agriculture in Zambia, and currently serves as Chairman of Seed Co Zambia, Seed Co East Africa, and Chairman of United Capital Fertiliser. He is also the founder and first Executive Director of the Food Reserve Agency of Zambia.

You can read more about his achievements here:
https://www.anapri.net/mr-chance-kabaghe/

And you can find out more about the Climate Smart Jobs Initiative here:
https://csj.co.ug/

This was a very stimulating and thought-provoking conversation. Sincere thanks to Hon Chance Kabaghe for taking the time to make it happen. And thanks to you all for listening. Drop us a line any time: climatetalkpod@gmail.com - and see you next time.

Josephine

Agroecology, explains Josephine Akia Luyimbazi of PELUM, is a systematic approach to agriculture that is based on working in harmony with nature and natural processes. In this wide ranging conversation she details the work PELUM uundertakes with farming communities across Uganda, seed banks, the outcomes that famers experience from adopting agroecological farming practices, and her view of the vital importance of seed sovereignty in the face of agri-business practices in the country.

As outlined on the PELUM website, "PELUM (Participatory Ecological Land Use Management) is a regional network of over 320 civil society organizations in 12 countries in East, Central and Southern Africa working in the area of participatory ecological land use management. The Association works to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and the sustainability of farming communities, by fostering ecological land use management. Country chapters include Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Botswana, South Africa, Ethiopia and Swaziland."

You can find out more about the Uganda chapter here:
https://pelumuganda.org/

https://pelumuganda.org/the-voice-of-afsa-meet-josephine-akia-luymibazi/

Iganachi Razaki Omia is the founder and CEO of Omia Agribusiness Development Group, which provides farmers in northern Uganda with a huge range of sevices from agricultural inputs and extension support services to effective linkages to markets. In this full, unedited interview with Josephine Karungi he talks about how the business started, his personal motivations, and how women and refugees face particular challenges when it comes to farming and making an income in an unstable climate.

As one of the major service providers in the region, Omia Agribusiness Development Group is seen by many as a real-world example of how the private sector can help farmers adapt to the challenges of climate change. As part of this process, Omia Agribusiness has been working in partnership with the Climate Smart Jobs Initiative, which is the parent organisation behind this podcast. The Climate Smart Jobs Initiative is funded by the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

You can find Omia Agribusiness Development Group here:
https://omiaagribusinessdg.com/

And you can find out more about the Climate Smart Jobs Initiative here:
https://csj.co.ug/

As always, thank you for listening. If you have comments or feedback, please drop us a line: climatetalkpod@gmail.com is where you'll find us. Until next time, stay well.

Josephine.

Iganachi Razaki Omia is the founder and CEO of Omia Agribusiness Development Group, which provides farmers in northern Uganda with a huge range of sevices from agricultural inputs and extension support services to effective linkages to markets. He joins Josephine Karungi to talk about how the business started, his personal motivations, and how women and refugees face particular challenges when it comes to farming and making an income in an unstable climate.

As one of the major service providers in the region, Omia Agribusiness Development Group is seen by many as a real-world example of how the private sector can help farmers adapt to the challenges of climate change. As part of this process, Omia Agribusiness has been working in partnership with the Climate Smart Jobs Initiative, which is the parent organisation behind this podcast. The Climate Smart Jobs Initiative is funded by the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

You can find Omia Agribusiness Development Group here:
https://omiaagribusinessdg.com/

And you can find out more about the Climate Smart Jobs Initiative here:
https://csj.co.ug/

This episode is an edited version of a longer conversation I had with Iganachi Razaki Omia. You can find the full audio of our chat by going to our episode called Climate Talk Extra - Iganachi Razaki Omia in Conversation with Josephine Karungi.

As always, thank you for listening. If you have comments or feedback, please drop us a line: climatetalkpod@gmail.com is where you'll find us. Until next time, stay well.

Josephine.

Looking back on it, 2025 was a big year: we covered climate change, electric boda-bodas and reducing food waste; innovations to improve the shelf life of fruit and increase moisture retention in soil; coffee prices, food prices and how climate change affects them, including at the local market; we've talked mental health, public health more broadly and how AI might be used to predict future needs; climate change as a hazard for humans, flood impacts, and environmental protection. Resilience at a community level, why wetlands matter and climate change journalism; COP30, how it unfolded and what it means for Uganda. And our most listened to episode: an up close account of the closure of USAID in Uganda, the unfinished projects left behind and the possible cost to Uganda's future.

It's a lot, and yet there's so much more to do. Which is why we're so excited about the year ahead, when we'll continue exploring the day to day impacts of climate change across Uganda, and bringing you analysis, stories and perspectives. We hope you'll continue to spread the news about the podcast among your networks of friends and colleagues, and thanks for listening.

With best wishes,

Josephine

So much stuff in this episode. Big stuff. Uganda is now co-chairing the Green Climate Fund: 'You can't be the one that is slaughtering a cow and then you don't give your family a big part of that cow.' Then there's the green list, the red list and the blue zone; the promised tripling of adaptation finance and the adaptation plan for Uganda. There's the fossil fuel roadmap that wasn't; a phased approach to a phase-out that won't; rich countries' double standards; the indigenous takeover of the conference and the Ugandan government lobbying to retain the use of fossil fuels.

Jackson Muhindo Rukara of OXFAM Uganda joins us with his personal reflections and big picture view of the negotiations and the politics.

If you'd like some good summaries of various aspects of COP30, go here:

From The Coversation: 'Petrostates-block-climate-deal-once-again-but-some-countries-are-taking-their-own-decisive-steps-to-phase-out-fossil-fuels'
https://theconversation.com/cop30-petrostates-block-climate-deal-once-again-but-some-countries-are-taking-their-own-decisive-steps-to-phase-out-fossil-fuels-270580 

From Carbon Brief: 'Cop30 key outcomes agreed at the UN climate talks in Belem'
https://www.carbonbrief.org/cop30-key-outcomes-agreed-at-the-un-climate-talks-in-belem/

And also from Carbon Brief': 'Why COP30’s ‘tripling adaptation finance’ target is less ambitious than it seems'
https://www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-why-cop30s-tripling-adaptation-finance-target-is-less-ambitious-than-it-seems/

And so, this episode brings to an end our special season focused on COP30. We hope you've found it as insightful and revealing as we have. It feels like we have a whole new understanding of the significance of the COP meetings, and how they actually work. Special thanks to all our guests who took time to speak with us.

We'll see for our next episode - a COP30-free zone. Until then, thanks for listening, and drop us a line any time - climatetalkpod@gmail.com

Josephine

Bart Dewaele is a General Director at Join For Water. Recorded on 21st November 2025, while negotiations at COP30 were still underway, he shares his clear-eyed reflections on how things were playing out. Touching on many of the key issues for Uganda including the Global Goals on Adaptation, water, finance and fossil fuels, his insights are thoughtful, articulate and - despite the setbacks - focused on positive outcomes. It's really a fascinating conversation that gives a real sense of what's been going on at COP30 and what it means.

COP30 details can be found here:
https://unfccc.int/cop30

Keep an ear out for future episodes when we'll be exploring what COP30 means for Uganda. And drop us a line any time at climatetalkpod@gmail.com if you'd like to suggest a topic for us to cover. Or even if you just want to offer us some feedback. Thanks for listening, and see you soon.

Josephine Karungi