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Uganda faces rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and frequent floods and droughts. With 81 percent of the population engaged in rain-fed subsistence farming, the country's reliance on agriculture remains a risk to economic growth, farmer incomes and export earnings. Agriculture contributes up to 40 percent of Uganda's total GDP and over 90 percent of foreign exchange earnings. The agriculture sector accounts for 27 percent of emissions, followed by land use and forestry at approximately 60 percent.
- National
- Regional
- Global
- Country Office
- National Governments
- United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
- BMUV/IKI
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Uganda was part of the FAO and UNDP-supported Integrating Agriculture in National Adaptation Plans (NAP-Ag) Programme from 2015 to 2020, and developed a gender-responsive National Adaptation Plan (NAP) for the agriculture sector that now requires implementation support. The country submitted its updated NDC in September 2022 and is now preparing its NDC3.0, with SCALA supporting revisions to the crop and livestock components. Most significant is Uganda's formulation of the National Climate Change Act 2021 to give the force of law to the Paris Agreement. Adaptation is prioritized as the first response to climate change while mitigation actions are being strengthened. Key sectors include agriculture and livestock, forestry, sustainable land management, and natural resources restoration.
Uganda faces multiple barriers in achieving its agriculture climate goals, particularly in the cattle corridor. Smallholder farmers — especially women, youth and poorer households — struggle with erratic food prices, limited knowledge of climate-smart agriculture, and lack of transport and processing infrastructure. Additional challenges include deteriorating water management infrastructure, inadequate veterinary services, poor access to quality inputs, and limited mechanized equipment. Limited agricultural insurance, inadequate access to finance, and restricted land rights make it difficult to invest in climate action.
In Uganda, SCALA focuses on promoting climate-resilient agriculture solutions in the cattle corridor landscape, supporting the translation of the 2021 updated NDC and 2018 NAP-Ag priorities into district-level adaptation and development plans with a strong focus on gender and private sector engagement.
A systems-level assessment of mixed farming systems in the cattle corridor was completed, generating local adaptation and mitigation solutions for integration into district development plans. SCALA also supported six local governments in the cattle corridor — Amolatar, Katakwi, Isingiro, Kamuli, Nakasongola and Amudat — to develop and validate local Gender-Responsive Climate Action Plans for integration into District Development Plans. An analysis of gender and inclusivity in climate-smart agriculture and Nature-based Solutions has been launched to complement the systems-level assessment and strengthen the evidence base for inclusive resilience-building.
An economic appraisal was conducted to assess business opportunities, risks and barriers for private sector investment in the cattle corridor's livestock, cocoa and cassava value chains. A private sector mapping identified potential partners aligned with NAP and NDC priorities. An agri-technology company is now receiving targeted support to pilot de-risking solutions in these value chains. SCALA contributed to the operationalization of Uganda's integrated MRV tool through training for 60 technical staff from government, civil society, private sector and academia, culminating in an action plan for data collection, analysis and reporting. SCALA also facilitated a validation workshop for Uganda's Agricultural Long-Term Low Emissions and Climate Resilience Development Strategy.
Progress and prospects
SCALA's work is directly informing the GCF-approved Project Preparation Facility for the 'Integrated Landscape Management Approach for Climate-Resilience Water Security and Livelihoods in the Uganda Cattle Corridor' (ILMAC) project, led by the Ministry of Water and Environment. This ensures that SCALA evidence directly supports national initiatives and strengthens country ownership.
On policy, SCALA initiated support for the update of Uganda's NDC3.0, participating in roadmap planning meetings and expected to support revisions to the forestry and fisheries components in collaboration with the World Bank. Consultations between the Ministry of Environment and the Office of the Prime Minister are being facilitated to strengthen alignment between the NDC update and the Food System Framework.
A capacity-building workshop for 40 staff from five ministries was held on climate budget tagging for the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV), helping identify and classify priority actions contributing to gender-responsive climate action.
The economic appraisal and private sector mapping completed under SCALA in action are now feeding directly into a GCF Full Funding Proposal to promote an “Integrated Landscape Management Approach for Climate-Resilient Water Security and Livelihoods in the Uganda Cattle Corridor” (ILMAC Project) , particularly its third pillar on scaling up climate-resilient agriculture and gender-responsive agribusiness development.
Looking ahead
Support the integration of Gender-Responsive Climate Action Plans into District Development Plans.
Contribute to the adoption of the Agriculture Long-Term Strategy and its incorporation into the national economy-wide Long-Term Strategy.
Support the operationalization of the MRV tool through implementation of the action plan.
Develop de-risking measures for private sector engagement and financing of climate action in the cattle corridor.
Support the implementation of the GCF ILMAC project, ensuring SCALA evidence directly informs the full funding proposal.
