Uganda. National Communication (NC). NC 3.

REPUBLIC OF UGANDA
Uganda’s Third National Communication to the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
MINISTRY OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENT
JULY 2022Uganda’s Third National Communication to the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
iiFOREWORD
The challenge of climate change poses the greatest development threat, not only to Uganda, but
the entire globe. There is no longer any doubt that the global climate system is changing. The
latest scientific information given by the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel
on Climate Change indicates that global warming poses serious development and environmental
problems with far-reaching social and economic consequences.
Uganda faces numerous events associated with the adverse impacts of climate change. Record
breaking occurrences of floods, devastating and frequent droughts and erratic rainfall patterns
have been experienced. Severe impacts including landslides, loss of biodiversity, land degradation
and increased incidences of diseases, pest and vector infestations in both humans and livestock
have followed. The recurrent floods in River Nyamwamba in Kasese District on the slopes of The
Rwenzori Mountains, and long droughts across the cattle-keeping belt of Uganda are always
pointers to the magnitude of the menace.
Coincidentally, these events affect those with least resilience and adaptive capacity. Indeed, the
country struggles to cope with the demand for support, especially from the rural communities.
Thus, attainment of the country’s socio-economic development aspirations as spelt out in the
Third National Development Plan and Vision 2040 may be seriously curtailed.
In recognition of the problem, Uganda was one of the first countries to sign and ratify the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1992 and has continued her
commitment to the UNFCCC, the Kyoto Protocol and to the Paris Agreement. In accordance with
her capacity and capabilities and with the generous support from the wider UN and the specific
UNFCCC organs, Uganda has put in place the necessary policy, regulatory and institutional
mechanisms to guide and propel the country’s climate change response and actions. Uganda has
operationalized a National Climate Change Policy and is enacting a Climate Change Bill.
On behalf of Uganda, I therefore have the honour and privilege to present Uganda’s Third
National Communication to the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change. The document has been prepared in accordance with Article 4,
paragraph 1, and Article 12, paragraph 1, of the UNFCCC.
Hon. Sam Cheptoris
MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENT
Republic of Uganda
iiiACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The importance of strengthening the institutional, scientific, technical, and human capacity of a
country cannot be over-emphasized as it forms the centrality for the effective implementation of
the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Support to the country
towards meeting its obligations under the Convention is therefore most welcome.
Uganda’s Third National Communication (TNC) under the UNFCCC has been prepared based on
a series of studies, research and modelling by a multi-disciplinary Task Force of experts appointed
by the Ministry of Water and Environment and executed under the direct supervision of the
Climate Change Department (CCD). The preparation of this Communication has been made
possible with funding from the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) through the UN Environment
as the implementing entity. In this respect, the Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of
Water and Environment (MWE), expresses gratitude to these agencies. The support received from
GEF, UNEP and the Global Support Programme is highly appreciated.