UNICEF and KCCA Launch 'My Green Action' Campaign to Foster Climate Awareness Among Kampala Students

Kampala is stepping up its efforts to combat air pollution and foster environmental stewardship among its youth with the launch of the ‘My Green Action’ campaign. This initiative, a collaborative effort by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Roofings Limited, Volcano Energy, and Fresh Yard, aims to equip students with practical skills for environmental conservation.

The campaign, inaugurated at Kitante Hill School, will involve students from ten schools in activities such as tree planting, environmental awareness drives, digital engagement, and community outreach. The core objective is to instill a sense of responsibility towards the environment and encourage tangible climate action within school grounds and local communities.

Benon Kigenyi, Deputy Executive Director of KCCA, highlighted the critical need for such initiatives, noting that air pollution remains a significant challenge for Kampala, impacting public health. He stressed that addressing this issue requires a united front involving government, communities, the private sector, and young people. KCCA is committed to enhancing the city’s environmental quality through its Directorate of Public Health and Environment, but success hinges on public participation.

The campaign aligns with the city’s broader climate strategy, which targets a 22 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and supports Kampala’s transition to a low-carbon economy. KCCA is already implementing plans like the Kampala Urban Forest Management Plan to protect green spaces and increase tree cover.

Fatuma Namukose, U-Report Programme Manager at UNICEF Uganda, emphasized the empowering role of youth in driving positive environmental change. UNICEF utilizes platforms like U-Report and Fundoo to provide young people with the necessary knowledge and skills, including green skills, to become active agents of change. Tree planting is a key practical activity designed to help students understand the vital role trees play in our ecosystem.

School leaders, like Samuel Kamukamu Balwana, Headteacher of Kitante Hill School, see the campaign as a valuable extension of the national curriculum, offering students practical avenues to apply their learning in subjects like agriculture, biology, and geography. The campaign seeks to inspire a new generation of environmental ambassadors committed to a greener, cleaner, and more sustainable Kampala.

As part of the initiative, Fresh Yard will support schools in establishing vegetable gardens, recognizing the direct link between climate change, food production, and nutrition. This multi-faceted approach aims to foster environmental awareness and sustainable practices among Kampala’s youth.

Source: Nile Post