In a major push to combat the growing threat of urban environmental degradation, the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has partnered with UNICEF Uganda to launch a massive environmental campaign targeting school-going children and youth.
The initiative, dubbed the My Green Action Campaign, was officially unveiled at Kitante Hill School. It aims to empower the younger generation to take practical steps against climate change through tree planting, waste management, environmental conservation, and the promotion of sustainable transport.
The intervention comes at a critical time. Kampala regularly ranks among the most polluted cities in Africa, with airborne particulate matter often exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) safety guidelines by up to five times. The crisis is largely driven by unpaved roads, vehicular emissions from secondhand cars, and the open burning of waste.
Speaking at the launch, KCCA Acting Executive Director Benon Kigenyi emphasized that air pollution remains one of Kampala’s most severe yet overlooked public health crises.
‘Air pollution continues to expose residents to respiratory illnesses and other health complications. This should concern all of us, especially young people whose future depends on a healthy and sustainable environment,’ Mr. Kigenyi said.
He noted that the KCCA is actively implementing the Kampala Climate Change Action Strategy, which focuses on transitioning to cleaner transport systems, protecting urban green spaces, and curbing greenhouse gas emissions. “Every tree planted in schools, homes, and communities contributes to a greener and healthier city,” Kigenyi added, urging citizens to protect the city’s vanishing urban vegetation.
The education sector is expected to play a pivotal role in this behavioral shift. Wotakyala Balwana Samuel, the Head Teacher of Kitante Hill School, welcomed the campaign, stating that schools are uniquely positioned to nurture environmentally conscious citizens. He revealed that Kitante Hill has already integrated tree-planting and carbon-reduction awareness into its core school activities.
UNICEF Uganda U-Report Programme Manager, Fatuma Namukose, stressed that because young people bear the brunt of climate change impacts, they must be at the center of the solution.
The campaign is set to scale rapidly, aiming to reach more than 5,000 learners across Kampala and Wakiso districts through school activations, community outreach, and digital engagement platforms.
‘Young people are not only victims of climate change but also powerful agents of change,’ Ms. Namukose said, noting that the skills gained could shape future green careers.
Furthering the call for sustainable urban mobility, Abdul Wahabu Nyanzi, a representative from Africa Cycling Safari, urged the youth to embrace walking and cycling to reduce the city’s heavy reliance on fossil-fuel-powered transport.
The launch concluded with a symbolic tree-planting exercise on the school grounds, with students pledging to pioneer environmental conservation within their local communities. With Kampala’s population expanding rapidly, stakeholders hope this youth-led movement will provide the vital grassroots momentum needed to clean the city’s air.