On August 15th, 2024, Greenwatch, in partnership with the Uganda Law Society (ULS), hosted a pivotal training event at Mestil Hotel in Kampala aimed at advancing climate advocacy in Uganda. The training, titled "Igniting Passion for Climate Justice: Empowering Young Advocates for Environmental Change," was designed to equip a new generation of legal professionals with the knowledge and tools necessary to address the pressing challenges posed by climate change through strategic legal action. This event marked a significant step in empowering the next generation of legal professionals to address the pressing challenges posed by climate change through strategic legal action.
The opening remarks were given by Samantha Atukunda Kakuru Mwesigwa, Director of Greenwatch, who expressed her gratitude to the Uganda Law Society for their crucial role in organizing the event and selecting the 40 young lawyers who were chosen from over 80 applicants. These young lawyers were selected after a rigorous vetting process, ensuring that the most promising candidates were given the opportunity to participate in this transformative experience.
Senior Counsel Bernard Oundo, President of the Uganda Law Society, officiated the session, emphasizing the urgent need for affirmative legal action in combating climate change. He highlighted the recent Kitezi Landfill disaster as a stark reminder of the consequences of environmental neglect, urging the young lawyers to use their legal expertise to address and mitigate the impacts of climate change, particularly concerning fossil fuels. Oundo’s call to action resonated deeply with the attendees, many of whom are at the beginning of their legal careers. He stressed that climate change is not just an environmental issue but a complex crisis affecting human rights, public health, and economic stability—all areas where legal intervention can have a profound impact.
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The training was structured around three key concepts that are vital to understanding and addressing climate change in Uganda: climate action, climate litigation, and climate justice. These concepts form the backbone of Uganda's response to the climate crisis, each playing a critical role in shaping the country's legal and environmental landscape.
Climate action includes efforts to combat climate change and mitigate its impacts, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions—referred to as mitigation—and adapting to the already evident effects of climate change. The international community, under agreements like the Paris Accord, aims to keep global warming well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels, with an ideal target of limiting it to 1.5 °C. Uganda, as a signatory to these agreements, is committed to reducing its emissions and plays a role in urging larger polluting nations to act responsibly. The discussions highlighted that Uganda’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are central to its commitment to climate action, as they outline specific policies and measures aimed at achieving these global goals.
Climate litigation, another focal point of the training, refers to legal cases that address various aspects of climate change, from the science underpinning it to the actions taken—or not taken—by governments and corporations. These cases are vital for holding entities accountable and ensuring that climate policies are effectively implemented. The training emphasized the importance of strategic litigation as a tool for enforcing existing laws and setting new legal precedents in Uganda.
One of the facilitators, Hon. Justice Bernard Namanya, a High Court Judge in Uganda, provided participants with an overview of the global landscape of climate litigation, stressing the importance of legal frameworks that incorporate climate considerations and protect vulnerable communities from the adverse effects of climate change. Justice Namanya discussed the UNEP Global Climate Litigation Report: 2023 Status Review, which noted that as of December 31, 2022, over 2,180 climate-related cases had been filed across 65 jurisdictions, including international courts and arbitration tribunals. This marks a significant increase from previous years, with 884 cases in 2017 and 1,550 cases in 2020. While 70% of these cases are taking place in the United States, there is a growing trend of climate litigation in the Global South, including Africa.
Climate justice was also a central theme, emphasizing the fair distribution of both the burdens and benefits of climate change and the responses to it. The concept of climate justice advocates for addressing the disproportionate impacts of climate change on marginalized and vulnerable communities, particularly in developing countries like Uganda. This theme resonated deeply with the participants, as it aligns with Uganda's unique challenges in the face of climate change. Despite contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions, Uganda suffers disproportionately from its effects, making the pursuit of climate justice through legal means an essential strategy for protecting both the environment and the most vulnerable populations.
Dr. Peter Davis Mutesasira, Dean of the Faculty of Law at Uganda Christian University (UCU), empahasized the critical need for mentoring young lawyers to actively engage in climate action both nationally and internationally. He stressed that legal professionals in Uganda have an important role in holding the government and corporations accountable for their environmental impacts, ensuring that Uganda's climate policies are not only well-crafted but also effectively enforced.
Dr. Mutesasira pointed out the stark reality of climate change’s disproportionate impact on vulnerable communities, particularly in developing countries like Uganda. He cited the recent tragedy at Kitezi Landfill, where an environmental disaster on August 10, 2024, claimed over 35 lives—a tragic reminder of the dire consequences of environmental neglect. Dr. Mutesasira highlighted that it is a national shame that, despite technological advancements, Ugandans are still dying from such preventable incidents.
He argued that climate litigation serves as a powerful tool for addressing these injustices by holding those responsible for environmental harm accountable and ensuring that affected communities receive the necessary support to adapt to the changing environment. By leveraging the law, young lawyers can drive meaningful change and protect the most vulnerable from the severe impacts of climate change.
The training featured a question-and-answer panel session, moderated by Anne Tumwesigye Mbonye, a member of Greenwatch's Board of Directors. Additionally, participants engaged in an interactive session where four focus groups were formed to explore the role of young lawyers in advancing climate justice. The discussions yielded several strategies, including leveraging media to spotlight environmental violations, collaborating with investigative journalists, conducting thorough research in environmental law and climate justice, and producing publications for future reference.
In her concluding remarks, Ruth Angom, Program Manager at ULS, emphasized the need to engage young lawyers in the fight for climate justice. She congratulated the participants for being selected and emphasized that ULS is committed to the cause of climate justice. Ms. Angom called on the young lawyers to take an active role in addressing pressing environmental issues, such as the Kitezi Landfill disaster, and to consider joining ULS in its efforts to tackle matters of national importance, including the review and advocacy of bills in Parliament that impact the environment.
Particpants at the Young Lawyers' Training
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Through this training, Greenwatch and the Uganda Law Society have made a significant contribution toward fostering a more equitable and sustainable future for Uganda. By empowering these emerging legal professionals with the essential skills and knowledge for climate litigation, they are laying the groundwork for a robust legal response to the complex challenges of climate change. As these young lawyers advance in their careers, they will be at the forefront of advocating for climate justice, leveraging their legal expertise to drive meaningful change and safeguard both the environment and human rights in Uganda and beyond.
Presentations from Key Personnel:
Nelson Byanyima
Nelson Byanyima is an experienced environmental scientist with a decade-long career, holding a bachelor's degree in Environmental Science from Makerere University Kampala. His professional journey has been marked by a keen interest in effective communication strategies, which led him to develop expertise in digital content creation.
