Uganda’s economy to expand enormously by 2050 if climate change mitigation strategies are fulfilled

19 May 2025, 1:27 pm

By Ronald Ssemagonja

Climate change to several Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), is hitting Uganda hard and is likely to have a negative effect on the economic growth rate. Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns due to natural changes in the sun’s activity or large volcanic eruptions. However around 1800, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to the burning of fossil like coal, oil and gas. In various meetings, CEOs and other key decision makers, have been deliberating on key issues that not only drive organization success but champion sustainability conversation in the society.

In one of their submissions, in Kampala, the CEOs urged all those engaged in business to integrate sustainable practices in a bid to curb climate change effects in Uganda. Steven Mukasa, the CEO summit Uganda country team leader, said that CEOs should forge collaborative solutions that will address the climate crisis in Uganda by adopting robust corporate sustainability in the day-to-day operations. “We need to discover how we can embrace sustainable practices for our businesses and communities, by drawing inspiration from the global concept of the Big ESG idea, that entails environmental, social, and governance, alongside various other sustainability initiatives in sectors ranging from development, business among others,” he said.

He also added that it will enable them share insights, and take decisive action towards addressing the climate crisis in Uganda. “It is upon us as key leaders to explore innovative strategies, highlight successful initiatives, discuss practical solutions, and commit ourselves to integrating climate conscious practices into their organizations,” Mukasa said. Dr. Byamugisha Albert, the head of the national SDG Secretariat, at the office of the prime minister, commended the CEOs caring about climate change. ” The sustainable Development Goal 13 urges all United Nations member states, including Uganda, to take urgent action to combat climate change and impacts,” he said.

It is remembered that once the United Nations Country Representative, Paulina Chiwangu, said that the synergy between empowering women and youth is Uganda’s secret weapon against climate change. “Women bring unique perspectives, drawing from their intimate connection with the land, while youth infuse the discourse with fresh ideas and a determination to challenge the status quo,” she said. Adding that both women and youth amplify the country’s capacity for meaningful climate action and that this would create a legacy of environmental stewardship for generations to come.

Uganda as a member state, is committed to strengthening its efforts and taking tangible actions to regulate and implement all passed regulations and policies related to climate change within the country. The Ministry of Water and Environment pointed out that over the estimated at between USD 273 – USD 436 billion. “If there were no further climate impacts, the costs of inaction would rise over time because of an increase in population,” Ministry’s climate change report . The ministry further indicates that poor and vulnerable groups are most likely to be impacted by damages to their assets, livelihoods and their food security. “If we assume a growth path close to the Uganda vision 2040, the economy will expand enormously by 2050 to about 20 times its size in 2010. Under this scenario, the damages would also increase at a similar rate and estimates amount to approximately 2 – 4 percent of cumulated GDP over the period,” report says.

Recently the Prime Minister of Uganda, Robinah Nabbanja shared enriching ideas on the impact of climate change on the African continent with former Presidents and Prime Ministers gathered for the 8th leadership forum running alongside the African Regional Forum on Sustainable Development. “We all concur that tackling the impact of climate change is a collective responsibility,” she said. It should be remembered that some time back, the prime minister also signed the Uganda-EU Forest partnership roadmap, an implementation plan for the Forest partnership which was signed at the UN Climate change Conference (COP27) in 2022, and since the signing, progress has been made.