The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Jacob Markson Oboth, has called for urgent and practical action to address the growing effects of climate change in Uganda, warning that environmental shocks are causing serious economic losses, destroying livelihoods and damaging infrastructure built over many years.
Oboth said Uganda must move beyond discussions and statistics presented in boardrooms to implement measurable interventions that deliver tangible results in environmental protection, climate resilience and sustainable economic development.
He made the remarks while delivering a keynote address at the 3rd CEOs’ Breakfast Meeting and High-Level Dialogue on Green Economy and Environmental Sustainability, held under the theme, “Accelerating Uganda’s Green Economy Transition through Digital Transformation.”
The meeting brought together business leaders and other stakeholders to discuss strategies for accelerating Uganda’s transition towards a green economy through sustainable business practices, technological innovation and environmentally responsible investment.
In his address, the Speaker emphasised that climate change is no longer a distant environmental concern but a pressing economic challenge with direct consequences for communities, businesses and national development.
He observed that environmental shocks are increasingly undermining livelihoods and destroying infrastructure that has taken years to establish, threatening development gains and placing additional pressure on communities that depend on agriculture and other climate-sensitive economic activities.
The Speaker warned that continued discussions without corresponding action would do little to protect communities and the economy from the consequences of environmental degradation and changing climatic conditions.
He challenged leaders in government, the private sector and other institutions to translate climate commitments into practical interventions, with clear targets, measurable outcomes and accountability for implementation.
Oboth also reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to supporting Uganda’s climate action agenda through legislation, budgetary allocations and oversight of government programmes aimed at addressing environmental challenges.
He noted that Parliament has an important role in ensuring that the necessary legal and policy frameworks are in place, adequate resources are allocated to climate-related interventions, and public institutions are held accountable for delivering on their commitments.
Through its legislative and oversight responsibilities, Parliament can help create an enabling environment for sustainable investments, strengthen environmental governance and support initiatives that protect natural resources while promoting economic growth.
The Speaker’s remarks also highlighted the importance of integrating environmental sustainability into Uganda’s development priorities, particularly as the country seeks to expand economic opportunities, improve infrastructure and strengthen the resilience of communities vulnerable to climate-related shocks.
The meeting’s focus on digital transformation underscored the potential role of technology in accelerating the green economy transition. Digital solutions can support environmental monitoring, improve the management of natural resources, strengthen climate information systems and help businesses adopt more sustainable production methods.
For Uganda, where agriculture remains an important source of livelihoods, climate-resilient farming practices, improved access to weather information and sustainable land management are among the approaches that can help communities respond to changing environmental conditions.
The private sector is also expected to play a significant role through investments in cleaner technologies, resource efficiency, renewable energy and business models that reduce environmental harm while creating economic opportunities.
However, achieving a meaningful transition requires coordination between government institutions, businesses, financial institutions and communities, alongside effective policies and sustained investment.
The CEOs’ Breakfast Meeting and High-Level Dialogue provided a platform for business executives and other stakeholders to examine how digital innovation and environmental sustainability can be integrated into Uganda’s economic transformation agenda.
Oboth’s call placed emphasis on the need to measure progress by the results delivered on the ground, rather than the number of meetings held or commitments announced.
His message was that Uganda’s response to climate change must be reflected in protected livelihoods, resilient infrastructure, sustainable investments and practical measures that reduce environmental risks.
As the country continues to pursue economic growth, the challenge will be to ensure that development initiatives are accompanied by effective environmental safeguards and that climate action is supported by the laws, budgets and accountability mechanisms required to turn commitments into results.
