environment 20 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Climate Initiative Targets Clean Energy and Reforestation in Uganda Refugee Camps
A new UNHCR-led project will introduce clean cooking solutions for over 50,000 households and restore 7,000 hectares of land in Uganda's Bidibidi and Kyangwali settlements, aiming to curb firewood demand and environmental strain. Long-term goals include reaching one million people and slashing six million tonnes of carbon emissions yearly via carbon markets. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/new-climate-initiative-to-transform-refugee-settlements-5430216
Uganda, home to Africa’s largest refugee population exceeding 1.5 million, faces severe environmental challenges in settlements like Bidibidi and Kyangwali from firewood collection and farming pressures. A fresh climate program, spearheaded by UNHCR alongside BB Energy, Farm Africa, Tree Aid, and World Agroforestry (ICRAF), promises relief through clean energy and land recovery efforts.
Launching in June after feasibility checks and government nods, the Refugee Environmental Protection Fund taps carbon markets for funding. Initial rollout targets 50,000+ households with sustainable cooking options to cut firewood use, while restoring over 7,000 hectares via agroforestry, natural regrowth, and tree planting. Future plans eye 100,000 hectares restored, clean cooking for a million refugees and locals, and annual emissions cuts of six million tonnes.
Two consortia handle operations across Uganda and Rwanda’s Kigeme camp. BB Energy’s team, with Hamerkop and Fairventures, manages Bidibidi clean cooking and parts of Kigeme, boosting health and air quality. BB Energy CEO Mohamed Bassatne highlighted the 10-year pledge to heal forests, enhance wellbeing, and fight climate change.
Farm Africa, Tree Aid, and ICRAF lead Kyangwali restoration and Kigeme reforestation, emphasizing community involvement, agroforestry, and biodiversity. Farm Africa’s Uganda head Samuel Arop stressed that refugee and host community participation ensures lasting benefits.
UNHCR’s Siddhartha Sinha called this a game-changer, channeling private climate funds into refugee and eco-protection work.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)