On the 27th of April 2021, the Ugandan parliament in an unprecedented move, unanimously passed the National Climate Change Bill to tackle the climate change crisis in Uganda.

The Bill intends to give force of law to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement to which Uganda is a signatory.

There is no specific law that addresses climate save for a few provisions in the National Environment Act, 2019, justifying the need to make a law specifically tackling climate change issues.

The Bill intends to give force of law to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement to which Uganda is a signatory.

There is no specific law that addresses climate save for a few provisions in the National Environment Act, 2019, justifying the need to make a law specifically tackling climate change issues.

Summary of the Provisions in the Bill

• Part III of the Climate provides for climate change mechanisms, Clause 8(1) provides for Participation in climate change mechanisms that include Compliance Emissions Trading Mechanisms, voluntary Emissions Trading Mechanisms, among others.
• Paramount to note is clause 9 in Part V that provides for measurement (in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent) of the reductions and removal of Greenhouse gas emissions.
• Clause 10 still under Part V looks at prescribing a national base year, reference level and targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions for each year, including targets for each lead agency through the Minister in charge of Water and Environment, in consultation with the Committee.
• Clause 20 under Part VI provides for financing for climate change which shall be provided by the Minister responsible for finance, taking into account viable climate change financing mechanisms at National level and International climate financing mechanisms in the Paris Agreement. Interesting to note, clause 27 (Part VII) of the Bill amends section 9 and provides for section 6(a) of the Public Finance Management Act, 2015 which sections once the Bill is law will enable financing of climate change measures and actions.
• Clause 21 in Part VI provides for incentives for climate change actions to persons engaged in implementing response measures for adaptation and mitigation.
• Clause 22 under Part VII provides for duties to be imposed on individuals and private entities by the Minister to prepare a Mitigation and Adaptation plan in the fight against climate change.
• Clause 25 in Part VII provides for litigation against defaulters of climate change, in that a person may apply to the High Court for relief against the Government, an individual or private entity whose action or omission threatens or is likely to threaten efforts towards adaptation to or mitigation of climate change.

The passing of the Bill has received positive response from many Ugandans especially at a time when the country is grappling with the negative impacts of climate change like prolonged droughts, heavy disastrous rainfall and landslides in areas like Kasese, Bududa and Bundibugyo districts.
The Bill now awaits the president’s assent for it to have a force of law in Uganda.