The report paints a stark picture of Uganda’s vulnerability to the climate crisis. Ranked as the 12th most vulnerable country out of 192 countries, Uganda is also among the least prepared to deal with the impending threats. This is a sobering reality that demands immediate action.
One of the key findings of the report is the uncertainty surrounding the management of climate finance in Uganda. Over the last six years (2015-2021), the country is reported to have received around US$2.2 billion (approximately Shs 8 trillion) in the form of grants and loans to address climate change. However, the report highlights the lack of clarity on where this money is being spent and what it is achieving.
Dr. Anthony Mugeere, the principal investigator of the Oxfam study, emphasizes the critical issue of accountability. “The ability to have these resources trickle down from the national to the local levels is important because that’s where the climate change impacts are being felt,” he said. Yet, the report suggests that Uganda’s bureaucrats lack the necessary understanding and capacity to effectively track and report on climate finance inflows.
The report also reveals significant discrepancies between the climate finance data reported by global organizations and the figures reported by the Ugandan government. This is attributed to a lack of a clear, standardized definition of what constitutes climate finance, as well as inadequate government systems for tracking and reporting off-budget climate change projects.
Addressing these gaps is crucial, as the report estimates that the cost of climate inaction could reach as high as US$27 billion annually by 2050. The government’s updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) also outlines ambitious targets, requiring an estimated US$28.1 billion over the next five years to implement.
To bridge these gaps, the report calls for the fast-tracking of a local definition of climate finance, which would harmonize reporting and tracking, enhance civic participation in budget implementation and monitoring, and build the capacity of local governments in climate finance accountability.
Additionally, the report recommends strengthening partnerships with bilateral agencies and multilateral development banks to increase adaptation flows for locally led adaptation action. It also urges civil society to advocate for stringent penalties for government agencies not complying with climate-responsive budgeting.
As Uganda strives to address the climate crisis, the effective management of climate finance is a critical piece of the puzzle. The Oxfam report serves as a wake-up call, highlighting the need for greater transparency, accountability, and capacity-building within the government to ensure that the resources allocated for climate action are being utilized effectively and reaching the communities that need them the most.