Unicef Launches the ‘MY GREEN ACTION’ Initiative to Accelerate Youth-Led Climate Action in Uganda

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, a behaviour change initiative designed to empower young people to take practical everyday actions for climate change mitigation and environmental stewardship.

The campaign uses FunDoo, U-Report by UNICEF’s digital chatbot and interactive learning companion, to equip young people with green skills and deepen their understanding of climate change, sustainability, and climate-positive behaviour.

Implemented by S4P (Solutions for People) Group, the campaign will be rolled out in ten secondary schools across Kampala and Wakiso districts from 18^th June to 16^th July 2026. Activities will include peer-to-peer discussions, training sessions, school-based outreach, community activations, digital engagement, and radio programming to promote youth participation in climate action and environmentally sustainable practices.

 

The “My Green Action” campaign responds to Uganda’s demographic and environmental context. Uganda has one of the youngest populations in the world, with approximately 78 per cent of its population under the age of 30. At the same time, the country is increasingly affected by climate-related challenges, including floods, landslides, prolonged droughts, rising urban heat effects, and solid waste mismanagement.

These interconnected pressures underline the urgent need to strengthen climate awareness, resilience, and action among young people, who have a defining role to play in shaping Uganda’s environmental future. The campaign is aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 13 (SDG 13) on Climate Action, which calls for urgent measures to combat climate change and its impacts by enhancing education, awareness, and capacity for informed action.

Speaking at the campaign launch at Kitante Hill School, Fatuma Namukose, U-Report Uganda Manager, said: “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. The campaign aims to reach at least 5,000 secondary school students.”

Namukose added, “At UNICEF, we believe that individual and collective everyday actions can make a significant difference in addressing climate change. Simple actions such as planting and nurturing trees, recycling and reusing materials, conserving water and energy, reducing plastic waste, adopting clean energy solutions, participating in community clean-up activities, promoting climate awareness among peers, and practicing sustainable consumption can have a lasting environmental impact.”

The Assistant Executive Director, Kampala Capital City Authority – Benon Kigenyi noted that in response to the various environmental challenges, KCCA has implemented a number of strategic initiatives aimed at building a greener, healthier, and more climate-resilient city to include:

• Air Quality and Pollution:KCCA is implementing the Clean Air Action Plan, which seeks to reduce harmful air pollutants by 50 percent by 2030. This initiative is a major step towards improving public health and ensuring a sustainable future for Kampala.

• Climate Action and Energy:Through the Kampala Climate Change Action strategy, KCCA aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 22 percent by 2030. The strategy promotes the integration of climate change response measures across all city services and supports Kampala’s transition to a low-carbon development pathway. 

• Green Spaces and landscaping:KCCA is spearheading the Kampala Urban Forest Management Plan, which prioritizes the protection and restoration of urban tree cover while setting ambitious targets for expanding the city’s green canopy.

Kigenyi further noted that it has also rolled out the E-buses that are fully electric and KCCA continues to preserve key green spaces including Centenary Park, Chwa II children’s Park, Nakawa Park, city non-motorized transport corridors such as Namirembe Road, and roadside green belts along Nile Avenue, Parliament Avenue, and Luwum street. These green spaces play a vital role in improving air quality, reducing urban heat and enhancing biodiversity.

Namusoke also noted that the campaign focuses on children and young people because they can drive meaningful change within their schools, families, communities, and beyond. As the generation that will inherit the long-term consequences of today’s environmental decisions, children and young people have a critical stake in advancing climate action and building a more sustainable future.

The Head teacher Kitante Hill School, Balwana Samuel said, “My Green Action” campaign complements classroom learning by providing practical opportunities for students to translate knowledge into meaningful environmental action. Additionally, school co-curricular activities such as environmental clubs encourage the planting of trees, recycling of plastics and cleaning up of the environment among others.

Balwana further added that 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 among young people.

Stuart Jason Mwesigwa, the Corporate Affairs Manager Roofings Limited said, “Through our greening Uganda drive, Roofings Limited has donated 2,000 trees to support the ‘My Green Action’ campaign. By planting mainly fruit trees – avocado and mango, we are contributing to Uganda’s climate action efforts through restoring forest cover, offsetting carbon emissions, but also providing fruits for families and communities to enjoy.”

Bebe Cool, Musician and former student of Kitante Hill School, and Partner at Volcanic Energy said, “We are urging schools and homes to transition from firewood and charcoal use, to renewable energy options such as gas. 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.”

Architect Abdul Ahad of Great Africa Cycling Safaris said, “We are advocating for governments in the East African Region to integrate environmental conservation with cycling.”

Pearl Kobusingye, lead Coordinator Fresh Yard said, “Climate change affects nutrition and food production. We are supporting schools have functional vegetable gardens to support nutrition while also protecting the environment.”

Namukose called upon young people across Uganda to sign up for U-Report and participate in FunDoo by texting “FunDoo” to SMS 8500 or WhatsApp 0709 168 500. She noted that the free-to-use digital life coach gives young people access to practical learning opportunities, green skills, and valuable information to help them unlock their potential while contributing to climate action and sustainable development.