UNICEF Uganda, in partnership with Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Roofings Limited, Volcano Energy and Fresh Yards Uganda, has launched the “My Green Action” Campaign, an initiative aimed at empowering young people to adopt practical solutions for climate change mitigation and environmental conservation.
The campaign, launched at Kitante Hill School in Kampala, seeks to equip secondary school students with knowledge and skills to promote sustainable practices through digital learning, school engagements and community-based activities.
Implemented by S4P (Solutions for People) Group, the campaign will run from June 18 to July 16, 2026, targeting ten secondary schools across Kampala and Wakiso districts. Activities will include peer-to-peer discussions, training sessions, school outreach programmes, community activations, digital engagement and radio programming aimed at encouraging youth participation in climate action.
The initiative uses FunDoo, a digital chatbot and interactive learning companion under U-Report by UNICEF, to provide young people with practical green skills and information on climate change, sustainability and environmentally friendly behaviours.
Speaking during the launch, Fatuma Namukose, U-Report Uganda Manager, said the campaign is designed to transform young people into climate-conscious citizens capable of influencing change in their schools and communities.
“Through U-Report by UNICEF’s FunDoo life-coaching and interactive learning activities under the My Green PAL task, the campaign will equip young people with practical green skills and knowledge, empowering them to become climate-conscious citizens and agents of change within their schools and communities,” Namukose said.
She added that the campaign aims to reach at least 5,000 secondary school students and encourage simple but impactful environmental actions, including tree planting, recycling, water and energy conservation, reducing plastic waste, adopting clean energy solutions and participating in community clean-up activities.
The campaign comes at a time when Uganda faces increasing climate-related challenges, including floods, landslides, prolonged droughts, rising urban temperatures and poor waste management.
With about 78 per cent of Uganda’s population below the age of 30, organisers say young people have a critical role in shaping the country’s environmental future.
The initiative aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 13 (Climate Action), which calls for increased awareness, education and capacity building to address climate change and its impacts.
The deputy Executive Director of Kampala Capital City Authority, Benon Kigenyi, said the campaign complements ongoing efforts by the city authority to build a greener and more climate-resilient Kampala.
Kigenyi highlighted several interventions, including the Clean Air Action Plan, which seeks to reduce harmful air pollutants by 50 per cent by 2030, and the Kampala Climate Change Action Strategy, which targets a 22 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by the same year.
He also pointed to the Kampala Urban Forest Management Plan, which focuses on protecting and restoring urban tree cover while expanding green spaces across the city.
Kigenyi said KCCA has also introduced fully electric buses and continues to preserve green spaces such as Centenary Park, Chwa II Children’s Park, Nakawa Park, non-motorised transport corridors and roadside green belts along major city streets.
He noted that these initiatives contribute to improving air quality, reducing urban heat and protecting biodiversity.
Kitante Hill School Head Teacher Samuel Balwana said the campaign provides students with practical opportunities to apply environmental knowledge beyond the classroom.
He said existing school activities, including environmental clubs, already promote tree planting, plastic recycling and community clean-up exercises.
“Integrating the ‘My Green Action’ initiative into existing school activities equips students with knowledge and practical green skills that promote environmental stewardship, climate resilience and sustainable lifestyles,” Balwana said.
Roofings Limited Corporate Affairs Manager Stuart Jason Mwesigwa said the company donated 2,000 trees to support the campaign as part of its greening Uganda initiative.
“By planting mainly fruit trees such as avocado and mango, we are contributing to Uganda’s climate action efforts through restoring forest cover, offsetting carbon emissions, while also providing fruits for families and communities to enjoy,” Mwesigwa said.
Musician and Volcano Energy partner Bebe Cool urged households and institutions to embrace cleaner energy alternatives to reduce dependence on firewood and charcoal.
“The rate of destruction from cutting down trees is extremely massive. Young people can be our key ambassadors for this message at home and within their communities,” he said.
Architect Abdul Ahad of Great Africa Cycling Safaris called for stronger links between environmental conservation and cycling initiatives across East Africa, while Fresh Yards Uganda Lead Coordinator Pearl Kobusingye emphasised the importance of school vegetable gardens in improving nutrition and promoting environmental protection.
Namukose encouraged young Ugandans to participate in the campaign through U-Report and FunDoo, saying the digital platform provides free access to learning opportunities, green skills and information to support climate action.
