Business 20 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Corporate Uganda Urged Towards Climate Resilience at NEMA Awards
Top Ugandan companies, including Kinyara Sugar and Hima Cement, were recognized for their environmental efforts at the NEMA Sustainability Awards. The event highlighted the crucial link between economic growth and climate resilience, with calls for increased corporate action. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/green-economy-otafiire-atingi-ego-rally-corporate-uganda-on-climate-resilience-5503046
Corporate Uganda is being urged to accelerate its adoption of climate-resilient practices, a sentiment echoed by key figures at the recent National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) Sustainability Awards.
The third edition of the awards, themed “Innovation for Climate Resilience,” celebrated companies demonstrating strong environmental stewardship. Kinyara Sugar Limited earned the Climate Smart Agriculture Award for initiatives such as wetland restoration, bio-fertilizer production, and green harvesting. Kinyara emphasized its collaborative approach with farmers and communities to enhance productivity and environmental compliance.
Hima Cement secured the Circular Economy Award, recognized for its integration of eco-friendly technologies to reduce carbon emissions and protect biodiversity. These awards underscore the growing understanding that environmental sustainability and economic prosperity are not at odds.
Dr. Akankwasa Barirega, Executive Director of NEMA, stated that corporate investments in greener production and community-led ecosystem restoration prove that environmental care can drive long-term economic success. “Their work shows that environmental stewardship is not a constraint on development, but rather an enabler of long-term prosperity,” he noted.
Bank of Uganda Governor Dr. Michael Atingi-Ego issued a stark warning about the economic repercussions of climate change, describing escalating floods, droughts, and landslides as serious economic shocks. He stressed that investing in climate resilience is vital for Uganda’s future competitiveness and prosperity.
Presiding over the event, Minister of Water and Environment, Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, called for a robust defense of the environment, vowing a zero-tolerance policy against further encroachment on protected natural areas.