Vol.

2 Issue 8 June - Dec 2018

 CONTENT
Africa Climate Week: From the World Bank view on Governments commitment
in NDCs has a short fall of Action Required on Energy, Agriculture and Forestry 1
Rainwater Harvesting at the Household level Supported at
the World Water Day in Kenya 2
Uganda launches Water Resources Training Institute 3
Talanoa Dialogue Sessions Could Democratise Global Climate Change
Negotiations, National and Subnational Discussions 4
CSOs call for promotion of pro-poor low emission
solution in the NDCs of Tanzania 5
Various Business Models that attract Energy Investment are needed to
close energy access gap as EACREE is set to provide energy access to EAC 6
Tanzania Ratifies the Paris Agreement 7
Pro-poor Energy Access is a Necessary Climate Change Action in Uganda 9
Implementing the Past Agreement in Tanzania and its Implications
to the East Africa 10
Water and Sanitation: How Can the Poor Cope 12
Options for Pro-poor small holder Farmers to cope with climate change 11
The Power of People United to Restore a Forest 15
Turning Waste to Briquette Production in Kibera Slums in Nairobi – Kenya 17
Uganda is Receiving Climate Financing for Climate Change Projects.
Expectations are high but will finance deliver resilience building? Will
implementation be different from business as usual? 18
Mama Noran Strives for Energy Security in Narok 20
COVER PHOTO:
A Biocenter in Kibera slum and a vegetable garden.
DESIGN:
Salt Concepts
PUBLISHER :
The PIPA Project c/o Sustainable Environmental
Watch Kenya (SusWatch Kenya)
East African Wildlife Society, Riara Road,
Nairobi | P.O BOX 1207-00100, Nairobi
Email: suswatchkenya@suswatchkenya.org
Tel : +254 202584757
Uganda Coalition for Sustainable Development (UCSD),
TanzaniaTraditional Energy Development Organization (TaTEDO)
P.O. Box 27551 Kampala. Tel:+256414269461
E-mail: ugandacoalition@infocom.co.ug
Web: www.ugandacoalition.or.org,
EDITORIAL TEAM :
Trizer Omugar Suswatch Kenya
Vincent Lidavalia Suswatch Kenya
Mary Swai, TaTEDO TaTEDO and Environment Fund INFORSE of Denmark. The views
Shuma Jensen TaTEDO
Emily Arayo Arineitwe UCSD
Mwayafy Mujasi David UCSD
Kimbowa Richard UCSD they represent.
Editorial
Climate variability is a challenge that is felt globally.
The impacts though vary from Country to Country,
from Sector to sector and also from wealthier groups
and poor groups of people. The Promoting the
Implementation of the Paris Agreement in East Africa
project-PIPA champions the pro-poor attention in
addressing Climate Change. Industrialized countries
with high carbon emissions are the cause of climate
change. But it is poor people in rural areas in countries
like Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, who are grappling
with the most serious consequences. It suffices to state
that climate change contributes to increase in poverty
and global inequality.
I welcome you to read about Climate change as our
key focus on the pro-poor. We bring you highlights of
the Africa Climate week in Nairobi so you know the
view of the World Bank on governments’ commitment
in NDCs. You will read about the World water day and
work water week commemorations in Kenya and in
Uganda. In here you will know why Uganda is proud to
launch a Water Resources Institute.
Find out about the Talanoa Dialogue as told by a Non-
Party stakeholder from the Global South who had a
face-to-face story telling session in Bonn on 6 May
2018.
Our News highlights the ratification of the Paris
Agreement in Tanzania. Get the tips on how poor
farmers can stay afloat amidst the gruelling times of
prolonged droughts and floods.An exclusive interview
on Climate Finance and the Commentary on Pro-poor
Energy Access as a necessary Climate Change Action
in Uganda.
In the gender column, you will be enticed to learn how
a woman in Narok is changing her community
by using a new energy source and how she has
become the admiration of her community.
DISCLAIMER:
This publication is supported by Sustainable Energy (SE) and
International Network for Sustainable Energy (INFORSE),
under the support of the Danida through CISU’s Climate
and opinions expressed by the authors do not necessarily
represent that of the Danish Government and the Institutions
Africa Climate Week: From the World Bank view on Governments commitment in
NDCs has a short fall of Action Required on Energy, Agriculture and Forestry.
Emily Arayo Arineitwe, UCSD
Stakeholders undertaking the Promoting
Implementation of the Paris Agreement
in East Africa (PIPA) project from Kenya-
Sustainabl Environmental Development
Watch Kenya (Suswatch Kenya);
from Tanzania-Traditional Energy
Development Organization (TaTEDO)
and from Uganda-Uganda Coalition for
Sustainable Development (UCSD) actively
participatedat various plenary sessions
and side events in the Africa Carbon
Forum held from April 9th-13th 2018 in
UNON, Gigiri-Nairobi, Kenya.
The African Carbon Forum under the
theme “Climate Action for Sustainable
Development: Driving Change in Africa”.
Was convened through the organization
of the Nairobi Framework Partners, the
United Nations Framework Convention
on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the United
Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
along with the UNEP DTU Partnership
(UDP), the International Emissions Trading
Association (IETA), the World Bank Group
(WBG) and the African Development
Bank.
The forum served as the first climate
action week spearheading climate change
negotiations through panel discussions,
exhibits and side event meetings. The
forum also ignited discussions on the
Nationally Determined Contributions
(NDC) support and implementation, the
United Nations Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs) and the Global Climate
Actions.
The outcomes from this forum would
inform the 47th meeting of the Subsidiary
Bodies in Bonn in May 2018 and the 24th
conference of the parties in Poland in
December 2018 including the Talanoa
Dialogue under the Paris Agreement.
The African Climate Forum (Climate
Week) is an annual event organized under
the umbrella of the Nairobi Framework
Partnership, designed to mobilize
investment for the implementation of
Nationally Determined Contributions
(NDC) and emission reduction projects to
spur sustainable development and make
the continent more resilient to climate
change. The event also functions as a
trade fair and knowledge-sharing platform
for carbon investments helping countries
in Africa capitalize on the development
benefits of the Clean Development
Mechanism (CDM). The forum regularly
draws members from the government,
private sector and non-state actors to
discuss and design solutions to curb
climate change.
At the event, Professor Wakhungu the
Director of the National Environment
Management Authority reported that
her institution is dedicated to reduce
climate change in Africa in order to
realise sustainable development goals.
John Christensen Director UNDP while
commenting on emission targets noted
that “We need to be more ambitious
in the short term. Unless we decrease
emissions significantly, we are looking at
a 4°C increase”. He told delegates that
Climate change had really come to the
forefront of the agenda, but there was
still need to enhance ambition for a low
carbon, climate resilient future.
On his part, Venkata Putti of World Bank
said 43 million people are projected to
become poorer due to climate change and
that Africa is worst affected according to
the Africa Climate Business Plan in COP23
released by World Bank. Noting that Africa
has potential to explore opportunities on
climate carbon market and carbon price.
The manager Climate Change and
Green growth Division of the African
Development Bank, Alhamdou Dorsouma
said that African NDCs need to be well
structured to also achieve Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs adding that
partnership is key for the successful
implementation of African NDCs and
also adaptation is a priority for African
countries.
The PIPA implementation team gave
insights and views to the Talanoa Dialogue
answering the question “Where do we
want to go” with reference to the (PIPA
Talanoa Submission uploaded in the
UNFCCC website). The team also used the
forum to share with delegates the PIPA
project policy briefs, fact sheet on NDC in
Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
The specific objectives of the PIPA project
partners’ participation at the Africa
Climate Week was to learn more about
the Global climate action discussions in
implementation of NDCs and LEDS among
other components of the Paris Agreement
and provide a joint input to the discussions
with other like-minded CSOs, to publicize
and share information about the PIPA
project with other delegates through
policy briefs, information sheets and fact
sheets among other advocacy materials;
to enable the partners to interact, share
knowledge and experiences with like-
minded CSOs, Government, business and
other delegates in order to create more
network linkages for engagement, joint
regional cooperation to push for further
alignment of NDCs and LEDS at the
regional level and to gather appropriate
information relevant to the PIPA project
for the purpose of reporting to partners in
order to meet the project goal.
The outcomes of the Climate Technology
Centre and Network Workshop held on
9th -10th April 2018 along with the Africa
Carbon Forum presented promising
technology tools which are ssector and
equipment specific technology roadmaps
for NDC implementation, Vulnerability
mapping for cities and critical services,
Flood control systems for coastal zones,
Energy Audits for industries, Climate
smart building codes, Energy efficiency
in electric appliances, Ecosystem based
adaptation tools, Energy utilization of bio
agricultural wastes.
From the World Bank view, there is a
short fall of the action required on energy,
agriculture, forestry on the respective
NDCs. About half of NDCs submitted
do not include actions to reduce energy
emissions and when included, actions
may not reflect all energy emissions or be
consistent with national energy policies.
Barriers to Technology accesses in African
countries highlighted include lack of
capacity building, inadequate technical
capacity,systemic challenge, political
instability in African countries, inadequate
funds to implement climate change
projects, barriers related to Institutional
settings of National Designated Authority
(NDA) and the National Designated Entity
(NDE), need to enhance coordination.
Recommendations of how Climate
Technology Centre and Network (CCTN)
could help in overcoming the barriers
were given. These include technical
support in accessing technology needs,
preparing bankable projects and
strategies and adopting technologies
to meet local needs and circumstances,
promoting research, development
and demonstration of climate friendly
technologies and involving the private
sector which is the main driver of climate
change technology uptake and transfer.
Countries are advised to engage private
sector in implementation of Technology
Action Plan by ensuring favorable policy
environment, strengthening fund raising
capacity in African countries to be able
to develop bankable project proposals.
Conducting tailored training, capacity
building, co-engagement on accessing
finances from complex mechanisms such
as the GCF, GEF, other blended finance
institutions.
1
Rainwater Harvesting at the Household level Supported at the World Water Day in Kenya
Trizer Omugar and Vincent Lidavalia
Water tank in Taita Taveta
The Mzima Springs phase II flagship project
will benefit citizens of Taita Taveta county
in the coastal region of Kenya before other
communities including Mombasa county.
Taita Taveta county has been battling
water shortage and lack of access to clean
and safe water for domestic use as well as
water for agricultural purposes. Only 4%
of the county’s population has access to
clean and safe water, yet the source of the
Mzima Spring is found in the county.
This came to light during the
commemoration of World Water Day at
Mwasere Girls’ High School in Voi, Taita
Taveta county, as leaders Hon. Governor
Samboja and the Cabinet Secretary for
Water Services, Hon Simon Chelugui
commissioned Mwamusha Borehole
which will supply water to among other
places Mwasere Girls’ School, Taita Taveta
University and the neighboring schools
and communities.
The two leaders reiterated the need
for all stakeholders working together to
conserve the natural resources. They
committed to improving efficiency on
water service delivery, conservation
of transboundary water resources and
appreciation of the crucial interlinkage of
forests, water, health, and energy. Since
the immediate concern for the residents
of the county is lack of safe, accessible
and affordable water.
The Director for Coast Board Water
Services urged stakeholders to
acknowledge climate change and poverty
as the greatest threats of the century.
She insisted on the need for rainwater
harvesting at the household level, climate
change adaptation, planting indigenous
2
trees, and conservation agriculture and
health awareness as key in solving water-
related challenges. She also urged The
Governor for Taita Taveta county, Hon.
Granton Samboja to implement the ban
on charcoal production which was issued
by the Cabinet Secretary for Environment
and Forestry.
‘Water is life and this statement cannot
be any further from the truth until you
miss water for a day or until you have to
travel for miles and miles to look for it”.
They noted. Studies done by UNICEF
show that only about 56% of the Kenya
population have access to safe water
this implies that from a population of
46 million people, only 1person among
10 people have access to clean and safe
water for domestic use. 19 million people
lack access to safe water and another 27
million people lack access to improved
sanitation.
Gideon Ndambuki, a resident of Kamtonga
Ward in Mwatate Constituency has been
advocating for access and availability for
not only safe but affordable water for the
community. Kamtonga ward which has
a population of over 15,000 citizens is
served by only one water point/borehole
and two water pans in the neighboring
wards. In order to beat the long queues
at the borehole, residents have to wake
up very early walk the long distance to the
water point or risk the scorching sun and
long queues. Sadly, school going children
are highly involved in drawing water for
their households which eats onto their
study time. Cases of pupils dropping
out of school due to water scarcity are
significant.
The journey to the borehole is not easy
due to the lining path bearing sisal plants
that prick the women and girls fetching
water. They also risk being raped if not in
the company of an adult male. Snake bites
are also hazard they have to stand with
because sisal plantations harbor various
snakes. This situation is aggravated by the
long distance to the health facility. For
the women here, a day’s work is never
finished without scavenging for firewood
since it is the main source of energy for
cooking. The return journey from the
borehole marks the process of firewood
collection that comprises - dry sisal stalks
and shrubs since there are very few trees
in the area. Valuable time is therefore
lost in this journey that could be used
by the women for alternative economic
activities.
Gideon narrates of the environmental
change over years in the region. He used
to see elephants from the neighboring
Tsavo National Park wander into their
village in search for water and pasture.
Apart from the few incidences of wild life
attacks on human beings, he observed
amicable co-existence between the two.
This he attributes to extensive grazing
fields, notable tree cover, numerous water
sources and low population. Over the
years, the climate has significantly changed
with reduced tree cover and reduced
water volume in the reservoirs. Yet there
exists an ever-increasing population that
encroached into parts of the National Park
resulting in human-wildlife conflicts. The
County is characterized by very low forest/
tree cover, a disappointing fact if ever the
water issue was to be resolved, notes
Mr. Daniel Kioko, the head teacher of
Kamtonga Primary School. He remembers
a time in 2015 when some residents opted
to burn forests with the belief that it would
appease rain gods. This incident happened
at a time when the area experienced one
of the most severe droughts and famine
in history. He urged all stakeholders to
continuously educate the masses on the
importance of catchment conservation
and its interlinkage to water availability
and drought mitigation.
Unless a paradigm shift is applied to
address climate change, the nation will
continue bearing the brunt of drought,
famine, food shortage and water scarcity
and pollution. Drawing from this years’
WWD theme ‘Nature for water’, we realize
that solutions lie in exploring nature-
based solutions to the water challenges
faced in the 21st century.
Uganda launches Water Resources Training Institute

Emily Arayo Arineitwe , UCSD

are equalizing resources so if we invest
in water and the environment, every
Ugandan will get to the middle income
level”. He cautioned staff in the Ministry
of Water and Environment to act locally
and nationally but in a global environment
through seeking partnerships.

Establishing the Institute is a response to

the Ministry of Water and Environment
reform study (2003-2005), that
recommended the establishment of a
Water Resources Institute to address
current and emerging water resources
related issues in the country and globally.
The Water resources Institute will employ
the applied training approach to learning
and teaching to enhance skills and
knowledge of sector professionals with a
wider aim of solving practical problems in
the water and environment sector. Applied
training, applier Research, Outreach and
Dialogue will be the key areas of training.
Regarding transboundary issues of water,
it was noted that Uganda’s water resources
are100% transboundary because Uganda
At the launch of the Water Resources I nstitute as part ofthe world water day celebratuons in Uganda is both down- stream and upstream
“We are in a unique pivotal position and
The Prime minister of Uganda Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda launched the Natural Resources therefore cooperation is a must”, said
Institute in Entebbe during the water week held at the Ministry of Water and Environment Madam Florence Adongo the Director of
premises in Entebbe. Water Resources at the Ministry of Water
and Environment.
This Water week was a commemoration of multiple events including the world water
day, World Forestry day and World Metrology Day among other activities such as The Water and Environment week was
trainings, dialogues and exhibitions by various stakeholders involved in water, forestry commemorated from 17th to 23rd March
and metrology in Uganda. 2018. It started with a cleanup exercise on
the 17 March, formal opening on 19 March,
He noted that the Institute marks an important transformation in building Uganda. He launch of the Water Resources Institute
noted that there are increasing challenges and more effort is needed to sustainably on the 21 March, commemoration of the
manage these resources for today and the future generations. He observed that 25% of world Forest day, World water day and
the Gross Domestic Product in Uganda is from Agriculture that employs 70% of people World Meteorological day on 22 March
therefore water is at the center of Agriculture and so having a Natural Resources Institute and field visits on 23 March 2018 was
would improve water resources for all sectors in the country. the first ever organized by the Ministry
of Water and Environment with partners
The Prime Minister told the delegates at the event that the National Irrigation Policy is under the theme “Water and Environment
in its final stages of discussion and therefore involving other stakeholders in discussing a Catalyst for Achieving Middle Income
water issues including the public needs to be heightened through sharing experiences Status 2010”.
and showing best practices. “Government is in the final stages of adopting a National The objectives of the water
Irrigation Policy and is committed to investing in water for irrigation in the future to week event were to increase
boost commercial farming.” He added that “We need to pay special attention to water public awareness on water and
resources to ensure quality and quantity and available use. Am glad that the Water environment resources for growth
Resources Institute we have launched today will provide knowledge on most of the and development, to celebrate 25
required skills”.
years of adoption of integrated
The Minister of State for Water Ronald Kibuule said that Government has invested close
water resources management
to24 billion US Dollars to mitigate climate change by restoring wetlands and encouraging
in Uganda, to launch the
communities to engage in activities like fish farming. ”There is no activity that can be Water Resources Institute, to
undertaken where water is not involved either as a primary input or a secondary input”. showcase recent innovations and
developments in the water and
On his part, Professor Kirumira Edward from Makerere University said that water environment sector for efficient
transcends all sectors and therefore the Water Resources Institute should interact with water and environment services
the National Development Plan and Vision 2040 to be aligned effectively to address delivery and to explore business
water challenges in Uganda in the midst of Climate Change variability. In the discussion of opportunities and trends in the
achieving the middle income status of Ugandans, he noted that “Water and environment water and environment sector.

3
Talanoa Dialogue Sessions Could Democratise Global Climate Change
Negotiations, National and Subnational Discussions

Kimbowa Richard, UCSD

In making climate action more
participatory and democratic, UCSD put
forward a proposal for local solutions
that can also raise ambition of NDCs, build
community resilience, adaptive capacities
as well as reduce poverty. These poverty
reducing solutions also need to be
recognized as part of the NDC guidelines,
the transparency framework and the
global stock take among others.

For this to work, the International

community needs to International
community needs to play its part in terms
of delivering an outcome on Loss and
Damage by COP24 to address the severe
climate change effects on poor farming
communities (need social protection,
enhanced resilience building, resource
mobilization for the poor and vulnerable
among other options

Furthermore the UNFCCC process, leaders

Participants at one of the Talanoa sessions in Bonn Richard Kimbowa in mid front row in a back Tshirt and other stakeholders need to support
full incorporation of gender equality and
The Talanoa Dialogue (previously known as the Facilitative Dialogue in the Paris women’s empowerment in local, national
Agreement) refers to an inclusive process of dialogue where all participants, regardless discourse and actions as per the Gender
of power or influence, are peers. It was officially launched at COP23 in Bonn. Action Plan, expand the range of partners
As a Non-Party Stakeholder from the Global South, I was selected to represent Uganda involved in the delivery of climate finance
Coalition for Sustainable Development at the first face-to-face Talanoa Dialogue that was – prioritizing poverty reducing local
held in Bonn on May 6, 2018. solutions through the Green Climate
Fund; and incentivize the market to shift
It was part of the 48th sessions of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Body for Implementation to a low carbon economy and support
(SBI) and Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) will convene in institutional capacity building for various
Bonn, Germany, from 30 April to 10 May 2018. The Bonn Climate Change Conference will actors.
also include the fifth part of the first session of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Paris
Agreement (APA 1-5). The Talanoa Diaogue is expected to be
a new strong push to move forward the
According the UNFCCC platfrom dedicated to this process, Talanoa is a traditional word global climate agenda. The Presidencies
used in Fiji and across the Pacific to reflect a process of inclusive, participatory and of COP 23 and COP 24 will throughout
transparent dialogue. The purpose of Talanoa is to share stories, build empathy and to 2018 socialise/discuss the Dialogue with
make wise decisions for the collective good. The process of Talanoa involves the sharing Party and Non-Party stakeholders via a
of ideas, skills and experience through storytelling. range of avenues, including workshops,
webinars, forums, and relevant meetings.
During the process, participants build trust and advance knowledge through empathy At the same time, Party and non-Party
and understanding. Blaming others and making critical observations are inconsistent stakeholders are encouraged to have their
with building mutual trust and respect, and therefore inconsistent with the Talanoa own meetings on the Talanoa Dialogue to
concept. Talanoa fosters stability and inclusiveness in dialogue by creating a safe space organise, strategize, and consolidate their
that embraces mutual respect for a platform for decision making for a greater good. input. This will climax into a high level
The first deadline for receipt of input from non-Party stakeholders was before the 2 April. political discussion that will focus around
The Talanoa Dialogue Platform received submissions from UNFCCC Parties as well as assessing the collective efforts to meet
non-Party stakeholders on the three focal questions of the Dialogue: Where are we? the Paris Agreement goals and informing
Where do we want to go? How do we get there? the review of the Nationally Determined
Contributions (NDCs).
I participated in the Talanoa Dialogue on the question: How do we get there?. My Talanoa
Story is based a Talanoa Dialogue (perhaps the first) held in Uganda slightly after April The Talanoa Dialogue inspiration could
2018 deadline for the May session inputs. It also relates to input from the Lake Victoria therefore potentially serve to galvanize
Day held in Kisumu (Lake Victoria city in Western Kenya), with a theme: ‘Accelerating collective local and national inputs,
Climate Action within the Lake Victoria basin (Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda)’ that listed accountability and transparency in global
several challenges (including increased loss of biodiversity) and made several local and negotiations, where duty bearers are
national level proposals. under watch on decisions made and
positions taken. It is therefore important
The story underscores the double jeopardy for poor small scale farmers due to climate that more such Dialogues happen across
change in form of extended droughts that results in immense crop and livestock losses, East Africa involving civil society, business,
increasing poverty; followed by floods that submerge farmlands, destroy settlements, academia, youths, women and other
infrastructure and other assets. groups, in addition to Governments as
Partners to the UNFCCC.

4
CSOs call for promotion of pro-poor low emission solution in the NDCs of Tanzania

Mary Swai, TaTEDO

Participants including CSO members attending the Sustainable Energy Forum in Kigali Rwanda.

also noted that the country needs to switch

Tanzania submitted its Intended Nationally Determined Contributions from use of biomass to other alternative
(INDCs) to the UNFCCC in September 2015 and signed the Paris fuels for cooking. The dialogue noted that
Agreement in April 2016. On the April 4, 2018, Parliament of the in the meantime the Ministry of Energy
United Republic of Tanzania ratified the Paris Agreement after a should recognize and place biomass as
sources of energy and not the by-products
review of the NDCs. in the existing policies, programmes and
actions, because the use of biomass
At the start of a regional Civil society Project: ‘Promoting of the Implementation of the
will continue for the foreseeable future.
Paris Agreement in East Africa’ (PIPA), most activities focused on mobilizing and building
Furthermore, serious efforts should be
capacity of the CSOs. Thereafter, campaign activities followed including use of media
taken in the harmonization of different
houses, developing Policy briefs, round table discussions, meetings, workshops and use
legislative processes existing in the
of national climate related events.
country on how issues of biomass can be
collectively administered and managed
In between October 2017 and January 2018, two policy briefs had been developed and
sustainably.
shared with targeted ministries and other stakeholders in Tanzania. On of the briefs aims
to sensitize the policy makers to prioritize small scale pro-poor low emission solutions in
It was recommended that the Ministry
the NDCs then under review. The second one focused on sensitizing the government of
responsible for climate change should
Tanzania to accelerate implementation of the Paris Agreement including its ratification.
ensure the NDCs reviewing process is
TaTEDO also organized a round table discussion with representation from ministries,
informed by evidence-based research and
government agencies, development partners, research institution, media and the CSOs,
studies and current data.
which aimed to provide opportunity to targeted ministries to clarify and to share their
views regarding the recommendations provided in the policy briefs and also to solicit
Relevant authorities were urged to
more ideas and contributions from other stakeholders. In this dialogue, various issues
mobilize under from various sources
were discussed including role of various ministries in biomass energy sector, population
including internal and external supporters
dynamics and behaviour of energy consumption and drivers of deforestation. It was
to facilitate implementation of NDCs
recommended that some of the revised recommendations be submitted to the relevant
actions such as development of local/
ministries for consideration.
domestic technology, development of
sustainable and resilient infrastructure
They include the suggestion that NDCs and different sectors policies, strategies,
among others.
programmes and plans should integrate pro-poor low emission climate actions. It was

5
Various Business Models that attract Energy Investment are needed to close energy
access gap as EACREE is set to provide energy access to EAC

Mwayafu Mujasi David, UCSD

Meaningful improvements will require
Stakeholders in energy promotion made a call to the EAC partner higher levels of financing and bolder
policy commitments, together with the
states, development partners, civil society and the private sector willingness of countries to embrace new
to promote use of low carbon and clean cooking fuels and efficient technologies on a much wider scale.
EACREEE is set to support creation of
cook stoves and industrial technologies at the first Sustainable an enabling environment by mitigating
Energy Forum for East Africa in Kigali held on 19 - 21 March 2018 existing barriers and in promoting a
at the Kigali Serena Hotel. Joining the team were participants competitive sustainable energy market
as well as economies of scale in the East
from Uganda Coalition for Sustainable Development, Suswatch African Community (EAC) region.
Kenya and Tatedo .
The EAC region lags behind on the energy
sector except Kenya that is a bit advanced.
The meeting was organized by the East African Community, (EAC) responsible for We should find solutions together; EAC
African Centre for Renewable Energy Productive and Social Sectors- Hon Jesca has less than 5000MW of electricity
and Energy Efficiency (EACREEE), in Eriyo . capacity. Modern energy consumption in
collaboration with the United Nations East Africa region is still one of the lowest
Industrial Development Organization On her part, Rachel Kyte a Special in the world (about 130 kwh per capita
(UNIDO), the EAC Secretariat, the Representative for the UN Secretary per year) with 80% of people living in rural
Austrian Development Agency (ADA), General and CEO of Sustainable Energy areas.
Sustainable Energy For All (SE4ALL), the For All said noted that we are living
Ministry of Infrastructure of the Republic in a world where the world is getting Robert Zeiner, the Austrian Development
of Rwanda (MININFRA) and hosted by warmer and warmer, vaccines are not Agency observed that “The partnerships
the government of Rwanda, aimed at working because of warmth. When we that are forged at this forum, the lessons
fostering economic transformation of get solutions to energy challenges, we learnt and messages conveyed as well
the EAC Partner States through equitable will save our people, medicines and our as the road map to a sustainable energy
access to sustainable energy for all. planet. While emphasizing the need for future outlined here will guide our
finances, she said that “In order to leave pathway towards achieving agenda 2030”.
The meeting that attracted more than no one behind all finances have to look at It was observed that access to energy
400 participants from various actors how to increase the flow of funding. This transforms people’s lives. It changes the
across the region discussed opportunities is a call to lay the table for that money way they behave, their productivity and
and challenges for East Africa to achieve to flow to the projects that can help engages the most marginalized in society.
Sustainable Development Goal (seven)- close the energy access gap”. Economic Raising the access to clean cooking
SDG7. It also provided stakeholders with dynamism of the EAC member states energy is not about supplying the assets
the opportunity to present their services should build energy efficiency into their to the population. It is about helping the
pertaining to sustainable development growth models to achieve SDG7 quickly, entrepreneurs with energy solutions for
and promoted exchange of ideas and cheaply and inclusively . “We are at a the access purposes.
cooperation to support the acceleration point where there is much to be excited
of sustainable solutions to the regions about we are at a point where the energy There is need for the EAC to move from
energy situation. future is going to look very different from business as usual to business unusual
the past,” she observed while confirming scenario in order to make energy
The Senior Climate change specialist GEF support to EACREEE noting that various accessible, available and affordable for
secretariat Ming Yang said that “Climate business models that attract investment the populations for them to use for
is changing and will continue changing in are needed to close energy access gap. cooking beyond lighting limited by high
the next decades, energy consumption We are quickly, cheaply and inclusively tariffs associated with electricity. The
will increase and CO2 emissions will heading to achieve targets and goals major hindrances to adoption of clean
increase as well”. making sure each and everybody is energy by households in the region are
included in energy services. affordability and accessibility. There is
Sustainable energy is a right, clean need to ensure local capacity building is
cooking energy saves trees reduces The implementation of the 2030 agenda done for local institutions to be able to get
indoor pollution and provides, better and the Paris Agreement calls for a funding because in many cases it is only
environment for the user. When it comes global transformation in all the aspects available to foreign institutions. It was
to energy for lighting and cooking there of life especially in the production and observed that in East Africa development
are many challenges therefore there is consumption of energy. Progress in every comes first planning later which leaves a
need to have joint action on renewable area of sustainable energy falls short of lot of gaps.
energy. “I do not wish any child to go what is needed to achieve energy access
through what I have been through” said for all and to meet targets for renewable
the Deputy Secretary General of the East energy and energy efficiency.

6
Tanzania Ratifies the Paris Agreement

Mary Swai, TaTEDO

A flooded banana garden.

pursue efforts to limit the temperature

Members of Parliament in Tanzania ratified the Paris Agreement on increase even further to (1.5°C).
the 04 April 2018 marking an all-inclusive completion of ratification
of this Agreement by all countries in the East African Community. Currently, Tanzania is reviewing her NDCs
for which the coordinating Ministry is
Earlier on Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda had ratified this
putting in place a clear mechanism to
Agreement and now Tanzania brings to the mark of 176 Parties that ensure wider stakeholders engagement
have ratified this agreement out of the 197 Parties to the United particularly the non-state actors (CSOs
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).This and private sector). The Paris Agreement
entered into force on 4 November 2016,
Agreement has also been ratified by the European Union with 28
thirty days after the date on which at least
Parties representing 87.75% of emissions. 55 Parties to the Convention accounting in
total for at least an estimated 55% of the
The Conference of Parties (COP 21) also known as the Paris Climate Conference held total global greenhouse gas emissions had
in France in 2015 led to a new international climate agreement applicable to all Parties deposited their instruments of ratification,
(countries) with the aim of keeping global warming below 2°C which is in accordance acceptance, approval or accession with
with the recommendations of the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). the Depositary.
The number of participants and the force of the commitments made it a landmark event
unprecedented in the field of climate change negotiations. Tanzania is a member to the Convention
and submitted its INDCs to the UNFCCC
The Paris Agreement gives a focus for promoting low-emission developments with on29 September 2015 and signed
NDCs(Nationally Determined Contributions) and LEDS (Low Emission Development the agreement on 22 April 2016 and
Strategies), and to get support and finance to East Africa. This agreement is envisaged eventually ratified it on the 04 April 2018.
to be the channel for governments to communicate internationally how they will cut
emissions for the post-2020 period. NDCs give room for countries to demonstrate In line with the national activities of the
leadership on addressing climate because countries are tailoring their contributions Paris Agreement in Tanzanian is a project
to their own national priorities, capabilities, and responsibilities. It therefore aims to on ‘Promoting the Implementation of
strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change by keeping a global the Paris Agreement (PIPA) in East Africa’
temperature rise at below two degrees (2°C) Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to with a focus on pro-poor low emission

7
Tanzania Ratifies the Paris Agreement
Recent floods in the city of Dar es salaam, Tanzania
development is under implementation
in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda in
partnership with Sustainable Energy
(SE) of Denmark, International Network
for Sustainable Energy (INFORSE). In
Tanzania Traditional Energy Development
Organization (TaTEDO), in Kenya
Sustainable Environmental Development
Watch Kenya (SusWatch Kenya) and
in Uganda the Uganda Coalition for
Sustainable Development (UCSD) are
partners implementing this project.
Globally, climate change and continued
poverty are probably the two largest, long-
term challenges for human development.
The effects of climate change are harming
poor and vulnerable people the most.
East African (EA) countries continue to
suffer from the adverse impacts of climate
change and related hazards. Climate
change poses serious risks to Tanzania’s
development, poverty reduction efforts
8
their future suggests increased emissions.
It is against this background and the
context of sustainable development,
Tanzania and other developing countries
has joined global efforts in addressing
emission reductions by promoting low
emission strategies. The NDCs are some
of the cornerstones of international
climate policies as they include the targets
and measures that each country commits
to reduce emissions with the Paris
Agreement. Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda
have all proposed national climate actions
in their NDCs, combining plans for climate
adaptation and for mitigation. In Kenya,
the expected emission reductions are
30%, in Tanzania 10-20% and Uganda is
22% compared with baseline.
and to the economic and social welfare
of the country. Fast poverty reduction
Like many other sub Saharan African
and economic development options have
countries, Tanzania is vulnerable to
often gone hand in hand with fast increase
climate change adverse impact due
in greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs).
to its dependency on climate change
sensitive sector and poor infrastructure.
While new agreements on climate change
Communities in Tanzania have been
(Paris Agreement 2015) and Sustainable
witnessing the impacts of climate change
Development Goals (SDGs) 2015 give
from droughts to floods, salt water
hope for improvements. In recent years,
intrusion to water wells, melting of
the climate change challenge has been
iceon Mount Kilimanjaro, landslides and
increasing while poverty is only slowly
increased crop pests and diseases. While
reducing globally. If low carbon strategies
climate change is a global challenge,
are well developed and are focused on
each country faces unique circumstances
pro-poor solutions that reduce poverty,
including different emissions profiles
they will also enhance the development
and emissions reduction opportunities,
of the country and speed up poverty
different risks from a changing climate
reduction.
and therefore different resource required.
Most of the EA countries have negligible
contributions to the generation of GHGs,
however considering their development
status and the need for economic growth,
Pro-poor Energy Access is a Necessary Climate Change Action in Uganda
By Kimbowa Richard, UCSD
Access to sustainable, modern,
affordable and reliable energy services is
a fundamental prerequisite for poverty
reduction and sustainable human
development. Energy services impact
on all aspects of peoples’ lives and
livelihoodstherefore people without
access to energy are constrained to a life
of poverty.
The International Centre for Energy,
Environment and Development in
Nigeria, defines pro- poor energy as the
quantity and quality of energy services
that are available, accessible, affordable,
sustainable, and empowers both men and
women, especially the poor. It focuses
on measures to scale up low carbon
electricity services and as well as cooking
energy.
Pro-poor energy provision is therefore
of global concern as evidenced in
declarations and commitments in the
2030 Agenda (SDG7), the Sustainable
Energy for All initiative and the Paris
Agreement, among others.
In their report titled ‘The stories behind
the data (2017)’, the Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundationwarn that theSustainable
Development Goal (SDG) targets will not
be achieved based on the current course
of action by world leaders. One of these
goals is ensuring access to affordable,
reliable, sustainable and modern energy
for all by 2030.
Uganda meets more than 93% of its
energy demand with biomass, 6% with
fossil fuel combustion and only 1% with
electricity from hydro and fossil fuelled
thermal power plants. Only about 10% of
the population has access to electricity,
and in rural areas, it’s less than 5% (EnDev
Uganda, 2018). Without reliable access to
modern power, many homes are left with
the option of utilizing other dangerous
forms of energy such as kerosene, charcoal
and wood burning, whose harmful effects
on the environment are of global concern.
What is at stake?
According to World Wild Fund-WWF
Uganda, Uganda loses nearly 5,400 (Five
thousand four hundred) of natural forest
every month due to dependence on wood
fuel. At this rate, unless some drastic
corrective action is taken by 2050, the
percentage forest cover is on a high level
of depletion.
While Uganda’s Renewable Energy Policy
(2007) that had a vision to make modern
renewable energy a substantial part of
Third from left is Richard Kimbowa at Talanoa Dialogue in Bonn
National Energy Consumption, and with an overall goal to increase the use of modern
renewable energy from 4% to 61% of the total energy consumption by 2017, remains a
mirage. Part of the challenge is that currently, the end user tariff for domestic consumers
is, one of the highest in East Africa making it unaffordable for many potential users at
the moment. Unfortunately, according to Uganda’s Electricity Regulatory Authority as
quoted by the Daily Monitor Newspaper of Thursday April 9, 2018 (http://www.monitor.
co.ug/Business/Electricity-tariffs-stay-high-ERA/688322-4487918-vnkea/index.html);
‘the cost of electricity is expected to remain high due to low consumption and high
capital investments (in terms of loans)’
But there are opportunities that can be explored to foster pro-poor energy. As noted by
the German Ambassador to Uganda Dr. Albrecht Conze in a recent Commentary in The
Monitor Newspaper noted that “Despite the liberalisation of the power sub-sector that
now attracts some of the largest private investments in the country both in generation
and distribution of power, Uganda has to act on at least 3 issues which are: The grid
with almost 80% of the population mostly in rural areas has no access to electricity:
Off grid where there is more need to be done to promote decentralised, off-grid
electricity supply from renewable sources leveraging private investments to this end is
essential; implement a policy of no more charcoal use as new solutions for cooking are
a prerequisite for stopping further deforestation and thus ensuring food security in the
future.
What needs to happen to secure pro- poor energy in Uganda?
Since Uganda has liberalised the power sector, there is need to develop clear policy
incentives to support private sector investment in energy services for the poor.
Government must therefore identify and develop clear policy incentives for increased
private sector participation in the delivery of off-grid power and clean cook stoves.
In the same way, Uganda should use part of the Environment Fund devoted to addressing
environmental problems, to strongly promote pro-poor energy interventions that benefit
millions. Since firewood is the primary source of cooking fuel for a majority of Ugandan
households and contributes to deforestation, a proportion of the Environment Fund
should therefore be set aside for clean cooking energy.
At a policy level, Uganda needs to put in place a more firm enabling environment to
enhance public private partnerships for investments in decentralized and distributed
generation systems to increase rural electrification, energy efficiency and sustainable
and inclusive industrialization.
In relation to inclusive growth, Uganda and its Development Partners need to support
gender-inclusive programmes specifically those aimed at empowering women, youth and
the disadvantaged in sustainable energy entrepreneurship, productive uses of energy
and strengthening their involvement in sustainable energy development leadership and
workforce.
9
Implementing the Paris Agreement in Tanzania and its Implications to the East Africa Region
Shuma Jensen, TaTEDO
Pollution in developed countries
Climate Change poses significant risks
to the Tanzania Economy, environment
and citizens. This is the reason for both
countries which emit high and those emit
low pollution will be required to respond
to the need of mitigating effects of climate
change. The carbon emission per capita
of Tanzania is only 0.18 tCO2e. Investing
in low carbon solutions has strong
synergies with a sustainable economic
and development strategy and is strongly
in Tanzania’s self-interest. Low carbon
opportunities have the potential to
provide Tanzania with additional carbon
finance to help invest for economic
growth that is more sustainable whilst
benefiting many people in different
sectors. The climate model projections
for Tanzania indicate future increases
in average minimum temperature of
1 ºC to 3ºC above the baseline by the
2050s with greater warming in the north
and northeast. Temperatures will rise
further in future years without a global
deal on emissions. These increases in
temperature will increase demand for
cooling, apart from other requirements of
energy services which will in turn increase
energy demand through air conditioning,
unless alternatives are sought. These
changes could be very significant in terms
of the electricity sector, because it is likely
to increase peak demand requirements
on the system. These future changes need
to be built into future electricity planning
and demand forecasts.
Responses are needed from all sectors
of life in Tanzania, from the agriculture
and energy to the legislature, and from
the corporate sector to the community
10
Pollution in developing countries
The Ministry of Energy plays a central role of developing the
energy sector, guides the use of energy resources that determines
contribution to carbon emissions. The lack of expected contribution
from the energy sector towards achieving the Nationally Determined
Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement and the effective
implementation from the energy sector may lead to more emission.
organizations. The Ministry of Energy plays a central role of developing the energy
sector, guides the use of energy resources that determines contribution to carbon
emissions. The lack of expected contribution from the energy sector towards achieving
the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement and the
effective implementation from the energy sector may lead to more emission. A stronger
institutional involvement of the energy sector in climate change activities is required
to achieve a true low carbon economy and this should go concurrent with improved
livelihoods of people in the communities.
The main challenge of climate change is that no nation can deal with it alone. However,
its effects are more felf by the poor than the rich, though it touches all sectors of
economy. That is why there is a need for regional and international efforts of fighting
climate change by all countries working together by sharing resources and technologies.
All East African Countries have accepted the Paris Agreement but are in different levels
of its implementation. Tanzania submitted its INDCs to the UNFCCC on September 2015
and striving to improve it for the second submission. NDCs for Kenya and Uganda have
been ratified. At present Tanzania is in the process to review the INDCs and continue
with process of ratifying it to attain to the level of NDCs.
While these countries are putting efforts in increasing access to electricity through both
renewable and non-renewable solutions, the implementation of Paris Agreement is
insisting on use of low carbon solutions.
It is obvious that oil and gas regional exploration efforts are high carbon emission
technologies and obviously are scaling up in Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya. We have
recently observed crude oil pipeline from Uganda to Tanzania, Natural Gas Infrastructure
Implementing the Paris Agreement in Tanzania and its Implications to the East Africa Region

Development in Southern Part of Tanzania, Upgrading existing oil products pipeline from ↘↘ The role and contribution of CSOs
Mombasa port to Eldoret and Kisumu in Western Kenya, construction of a new pipeline in the development of the NDCs
from Mombasa to Nairobi and between Sinendat and Kisumu as capacity enhancement should feature categorically and be
for the Eldoret depot. All these are intended to boost economies of the EAC states.
acknowledged either in the preamble
However, with all these efforts, EAC states should find a way to ensure Paris Agreement
is implemented in the region and benefit both rural and urban areas. or in the Means of Implementation of
the final document.
The CSOs regional efforts through a project for Promoting Implementation of the Paris
Agreement on Climate Change with focus to low emissions (PIPA), have highlighted Apart from contributing to the emission
different areas and missing links of NDCs of EAC states that require improvement. Some reduction of 10 to 30%, the INDCs
initiatives such as regional and national policy briefs highlight forgotten issues such as for Tanzania should as well be able to
poverty, livelihood improvements, amnon others. The discussion with stakeholders in improve livelihoods and reduce poverty
energy related sectors identified gaps in the Tanzania INDC in line with the objectives by integrating climate change initiatives
of the climate change measures required to contribute to the Paris Agreement through in the national development programmes
INDC. Some of the recommendations put forward by stakeholders include: such as the ‘Big Result Now’, Electricity
Grid Extension, Industrial Development
↘↘ Need to revise the INDCs, the DNA office should consider prioritizing energy and Initiatives, Sustainable Energy for All
forestry sector under mitigation actions as seems to have high impact to the (SE4ALL). This will enable to implement
reduction of GHG emissions, poverty alleviation and communities’ livelihoods. those programmes at the same time
reduce emissions; therefore contribute
to growth of the regional economy, while
↘↘ The Ministry of Energy and energy regulator (EWURA) should recognize and place
implementing the Paris Agreement.
biomass, charcoal and fire wood as sources of energy and not the by-products in
the existing policies, programmes and actions. In line with this, it was also suggested
and recommended that, serious efforts should be taken in the harmonization of
different legislative pieces existing in the country on how issues of biomass can be
collectively sustainably administered and managed.

↘↘ Need for different policies, strategies, programmes and plans of actions to be

mainstreamed / integrated within areas that promote pro-poor climate actions,
sustainable management of natural resources and sustainable development.

↘↘ Policy and decision making process should be informed by evidence-based research

and studies. It was emphasized that the proposed actions in the NDCs should clearly
and categorically show means of implementation and set targets/ strategies/ action
plans that takes on board pro-poor climate actions.

↘↘ There should be more private sector engagement in the implementation of actions/

plans identified in the NDCs. As it stands currently, Public Private Partnership is in
place but much is yet to be realized for sustainable development of the country
through the improvement of the energy sector.

↘↘ There must be a serious effort in mobilizing the financial resources to effectively

implement the NDCs. These funds could be from own sources (domestic/ country
budgets), private sector and from the International financing mechanisms such as
the Green Climate Fund, and the Adaptation Fund.

↘↘ Non State actors including the CSOs should continue raising awareness and build
capacity to communities on human activities and climate change, particularly on
how unsustainable production and utilization of biomass energy contributes to GHG
emissions and climate change. This process should be made across scales and levels
across the country

11
Water and Sanitation: How Can the Poor Cope

Emily Arayo Arineitwe, UCSD

A biotoilet in Kibera Nairobi.Women selling vegetables outside the center

Walking through Kampala-city informal settlements of Mengo-Kisenyi, Katwe-Kinyoro, toilets after feeding”, he says. His fears are
Nabisalu gives you the impression of inhabitants who are busy occupied with myriad the same elsewhere in the up-scale areas
of tasks to settle before dusk and may be before dawn as well Similarly, one can’t paint where people on the domestic tariff pay
the picture any different when in Kibera settlement in Nairobi, Ubunga in Kisumu and in for water and also for sewerage services
Kikoromojo-Masese in Jinja. These expansive settlements give you the understanding of which is 70% of the water monthly bill.
the urban poor who live among the rich in cities. But how do we decipher the pro-poor
notion. Who determines what poverty is and how is it measured. That enigma aside, The challenge of poverty amidst climate
areas of concern for communities in informal settlements is water and sanitation. How variability is tough.Because of the failing
do they keep clean with small streams of dark-grey waste water meandering in front of crop seasons, many youth have opted
makeshift houses and children playing in dirty areas. Where do they go for a bath, where to come to urban centers to eke a living
are their toilets and where do they obtain drinking water from? from petty jobs ranging from car brokers
at the bus and taxi parks to wheel burrow
These are questions that preoccupy my mind as I walk through these settlements. “No transporters but the poverty bites harder
one will understand the life here unless they traverse these settlements. People are due to utility costs and feeding costs.
very many here, from different parts of Uganda but majority are from Karamoja. Some
work in the day, afternoon, evening and in the night”, says Ekorim Paulo a resident of Isabirye Jamada from Kamuli moved
Kikoromojo in Masese-Jinja. Paulo ushers me to a seat in a bar that is already busy with to live in Bugembe Jinja town with the
patrons some dancing to Lingala tunes of blaring musicat 11:46 a.m. hope of finding a job and now finds life
very hard.” I will return to my village in
Paulo happily extends an alcohol drinking straw for me to join his team of malwa Kamuli next year. I have tested life in
(fermented millet brew taken from a pot mixed with hot water). I appreciate his town and it is useless if you do not have
hospitality, and I explain to him the reason I was visiting Kikoromojo. Luckily for me I had money. I once was tempted to join a gang
worked with Jinja National Water and Sewerage Corporation, so I knew many contacts of thieves because I needed money for
of stakeholders in water. Paulo is a Public Stand Pipe (water stand point) operator in food and rent. In this place you pay for
Masese. everything from rent to toilet use, which
is not the same in the village. But how can
I start off with the introduction of WACOCO-the Water Community Communication life go on like this”, he says. The 22 year
Clubs- a platform of local leaders who interact with communities on water and sanitation old man hopes to return to farm in his
issues working with the National Water and Sewerage Corporation. He gets grounded and village. They told me that last season was
confident to speak with me, walk with me and explain to me the dynamics of water and good because people harvested plenty of
sanitation in his area. “We have many public stand pipes in the community, people now maize, I will go back in time for the next
buy water and few still fetch water from Lake Victoria (close reach to the community). season, am waiting to save money to buy
Our challenges are many but mostly because of poverty. There are few latrines here and a motorcycle then I return to the village”,
this is a challenge because at night people dispose human waste in open areas. It is a he adds.
challenge living in towns with low income because one has to buy food and also pay for

12
Water and Sanitation: How Can the Poor Cope
In Kenya, walking through Ubunga
settlement in Kisumu and in the Kibra
expansive settlement in Nairobi gives
you an imagination of how do the people
here live, how do they keep clean, and
how do they expose off their waste.
The same questions pop up all the time.
These communities carry out multiple
businesses in their settlements and seem
to be happy and fond of their habitat.
They have money in spite of living ion
shanty houses, so who underpins them as
poor? Are they those that live below the
1 dollar perday or is it an attitude from
people who do not live in slum areas?
“People who live here are poor people,
some may not even afford to buy a jerry
can of clean water that costs 50/=Uganda
shillings. They also may not afford to pay
for pit latrines”, says Paulo.
Benazir Omotto from Umande Trust, a
Non- Governmental Organization working
on water, sanitation and energy with in
informal settlements in Kenya attests
to the issue of poverty. She confirms
that people in Kibera and Ubunga in
Nairobi and Kisumu cities respectively
have income challenges that affect their
sanitation, lighting and cooking energy
needs.
Umande Trust employs a Human Rights
Based Approach by advocating with
the citizens to demand for services
from their duty bearers. In Ubunga and
Kibera settlements together with the
communities, they have constructed bio-
centres where toilets and bathing facilities
are availed to people at a subsidized fee
and the waste is used as a bio-gas for
cooking. The recent is the making of
charcoal briquettes from the bio-slurry.
“We offer sanitation as a service and the
facilities are running optimally. Using the
bio-gas goes to the efforts to reduce tree
cutting and so far many households with
in the settlement cook with the bio-gas at
a subsidised fee as well.In thebeginning
there were attitude issues so using the
Tosha II Bio-centre in Kibera slum in Nairobi
bio-gas for lighting only was the bait and
later using the bio-gas for cooking was
gradually accepted. But the communities
are having become proactive and with
the influence of the duty bearers which
is helping the up-take”. She adds that the
basic sanitation coverage is less than 50-
33 % in some places which is worrying, so
Umande Trust is contributing to improve
this to attain the SDG 6 and 7.We are
taking the challenge to the door steps
of the duty bearers so that they plan
better for their people to reduce the
number of people who cannot access
sanitation”. Regarding the issue of clean
water supply, she says the Athi River water
service board is working with Umande
Trust in Nairobi informal settlements to
provide clean water to the communities.
According to the budget estimates, 5%
should be for water and sanitation at the
County but it is still low. Umande Trust
trains communities in the settlements on
budget tracking and for settlements with
in Nairobi, using the score card for their
representatives and duty bearers is their
way of pushing for more resilience to
attain water and sanitation services .
Urban poverty presents its face in various
ways because of the loose social fabric
that exists in communities of people from
various backgrounds and ethnicity, money
would solve many challenges yet money
is scarce and so there are few options for
these people to stay afloat in the midst of
climate change and changing economics
of urban areas as well as social pressures
that drive livelihood options today.
”When poor people fall sick in the urban
settlements, it is a challenge for the entire
household. So they have to keep clean
and have the basic hygiene practices in
check that is using clean and safe water
and have proper areas for waste disposal”,
says Steven Wante the Chairman of
Bugembe Town Council in Jinja.
The National Water and Sewerage
Corporation (NWSC), the main water and
sewerage utility provider in Uganda has
structured its customer profiles to cater
for commercial, institutional, domestic
and public pipe stand pipes.” The costs of
water have reduced for the low income
earners who now buy a 20 litre jerry can
of water at only 50/=, which is a good
boost for hygiene and sanitation. This will
enable people who cannot afford to have
water directly in their houses buy water
at least for drinking, cooking and bathing”,
says Rev. Nabetta the Speaker of Masese/
Walukuba Division in Jinja.
Working on sewerage and bio-gas services
has reduced the levels of open defecation
that is a main source of water borne
diseases.”50% of people in Nairobi live in
informal settlements so sensitization and
availing of the bio-centers have helped
people access bio-gas in their homes
for lighting and cooking and so far the
demand is high.
According to Alison Dittmer of Water Aid,
Sustainable Development Goal number
6 on water and sanitation is more crucial
today than before because water scarcity
affects more than 40% of people around
the world. This is an alarming rate that
is projected to increase with the rise of
global temperatures as a consequence
of climate change.Although 2.1 billion
people have gained access to improved
water sanitation since 1990, dwindling
supplies of safe drinking water is a major
problem impacting every continent.In
2008 the African Union (AU) adopted
the Sharm EI-Sheikh commitments, for
accelerating theachievement of water and
sanitation goals in Africa. Alison Dittmer
(2008). These commitmentsrelate to
importance of water and sanitation for
social, economic and environmental
developmentin Africa. It was a response to
the under-utilisation and uneven sharing
of water resources inAfrica and how this
affects the attainment of food and energy
securities.
SustainableDevelopment Goals (SDG)
number six (6) on water and sanitation is
more crucial today thanbefore because
water scarcity affects more than 40%
of people around the world, which
is analarming figure that is projected
to increase with the rise of global
temperatures as a consequenceof climate
change. Although 2.1 billion people
have gained access to improved water
sanitationsince 1990, dwindling supplies
of safe drinking water is a major problem
impacting everycontinent Alison Dittmer
(2008).Water as a basic need is increasingly
becoming scarce on account of high
demand for it fordomestic, agriculture,
and industrial use on one hand, and
climatic change impacts leading towater
level reduction on the other hand.
13
Options for Pro-poor small holder Farmers to cope with climate change

Emily Arayo Arineitwe, UCSD

Climate change refers to a change in the state of the climate that can be identified to know when to sell, when to re-buy,
by changes in the mean or variability of its properties and that persists for extended when to dispose of old livestock and get
periods, typically decades or longer .The trends of climate change are getting worse better breeds and when to purchase new
and the most hit are the small holder farmers. In East Africa farming has been affected machinery for farming.
by pro-longed droughts and floods, extreme conditions that affect crops and livestock. ↘↘ Farmer groups and marketing
Farmers therefore have to build their resilience by being climate smart and to adapt new associations help farmers to bulk their
ways of surviving the brunt of climate change. Being resilient for poor farmers can refer produce, sell together, have a stronger
to times when farmers do not have food and have to buy the food they once sold. Will bargaining voice .Farmers should work
they be able to have the money to purchase the food if they sell at low prices and in a in groups not only to cultivate and learn
hurry without proper market planning and analysis? from demonstration gardens, but should
work together all the way to the market.
Poor farmers should come out of their farms and engage with the current rhythm of how ↘↘ Proper post-harvest handling
ordinary people keep afloat in times of scarcity, they should understand what is trending (Proper drying of grains) and value
in their area of specialization. Moreover, they should be prepared and focused to act fast addition to produce. The more produce
by involving their social capital and insurance. stays longer on the shelf, the better for
farmers because they will sell when
There are options that can enable small holder farmers who may not necessarily be poor demand is high and prices are high.
to survive through the vagaries of climate change. These include the following: Farmers should invest in value addition
technologies
1. Working closely with the Extension workers should be a priority for farmers. ↘↘ Cultivating out of season. There
From Agricultural Research, many technologies have been developed that will help are commodities that will sell all the
farmers in specific areas deal with climate variability appropriately in their various time (Ever wondered why farmers plant
locations. tomatoes and vegetables in swampy areas
↘↘ Fast maturing crop varieties that have a shorter cycle that will yield within the gap in the dry season. Because of scarcity of
period before the floods and the droughts tomatoes so they benefit because of high
↘↘ Drought tolerant crop varieties demand).
↘↘ Appropriate irrigation technologies ↘↘ Savings and Credit Organizations
↘↘ Improved soil management practices as part of farming. Farmers will always
↘↘ Integrating indigenous livestock breeds with cross-breeds need money s having a fall back shield
↘↘ Improved methods of livestock husbandry such as intensive and semi-intensive from where they can borrow money is a
(housing, feeding, routine veterinary care) way of keeping resilient during hard times
↘↘ Agro-forestry using appropriate tree species that are supportive to crop growth. One of drought and floods.
can prune trees in the farm and use the branches for supporting banana bunches, ↘↘ Soliciting for information
staking tomatoes and climbing beans and make a saving on purchasing poles by listening to farmer related radio
programmes and attending farmer
2. Adopting new farming practices and improving traditional methods of meetings and trainings in the community.
farming that will enable high productivity and better yields, while conserving the ↘↘ Utilizing capital assets for pay.
environment. Farmers could hire out oxen for ploughing
↘↘ Mulching and keeping the gardens moist or their bee harvesting gear to earn extra
↘↘ Crop rotation to avoid disease multiplication income.
↘↘ Growing pasture for livestock and keeping minimum numbers of animals for which ↘↘ Obtaining good storage facilities
management is affordable of acceptable standards (maintain
↘↘ Selecting best breeds for seed and keeping seeds for future planting acceptable moisture content, destroy
↘↘ Using manure and domestic waste for soil fertility enhancement rodents, proper spacing and safety of
↘↘ Reporting strange vectors in the farm and uncommon livestock behaviour for fast produce)
response by extension workers ↘↘ Specialize in a selling enterprise.
↘↘ Inter-copping with appropriate crops in support of better yields For example selling piglets could be
↘↘ Incorporating bee keeping for easy pollination and as an income generating more profitable because you earn
enterprise money without incurring costs of
↘↘ Plan to invest in planting throughout the year by using green houses feeding, veterinary care and security of
↘↘ Utilize farm waste to save the environment. Making charcoal briquettes from adult pigs. Perhaps eggs sell better than
groundnut shells and maize cobs is a source of cooking energy for the household, keeping broilers. Weigh the costs and
can be used in the poultry brooder and can be sold to earn money. make a better decision. It could be more
3. Understanding and utilizing weather and marketing information for better markets profitable to sell green maize to vendors
and prices. Many farmers have failed to purchase food for their households because who boil fresh maize than incurring costs
they sell their produce at low prices and even fail to use the money to buy food in of drying grain and selling at a lower price
times of famine. during harvest season. To the contrary,
↘↘ Understanding and analysing market prices, demand, supply and costs of one could dry the maize grain, make flour
marketing will help farmers sell their produce at good prices. and sell in kilograms in times of scarcity.
↘↘ Trend analysis of disease outbreaks, seasonal changes and being calculative

14
The Power of People United to Restore a Forest

Trizer Omugar and Vincent Lidavalia , Suswatch Kenya

Community Forest regeneration

of 479.6 ha. To the north, the forest

In Kenya, the forest ecosystem has undergone degradation that the extends to Bul Bul location and spreads
country’s forest cover is only at 7% of the total land area. Between southwards for about 4 Kilometers along
1990 and 2005 Kenya lost more than 5% of her forest cover which the Mbagathi River to Rongai Township.
translates to approximately 186,000 hectares. This is below the The human settlement around Oloolua
expected internationally recommended level of at least 10% forest Forest comprises of varied ethnic
cover. Forests provide a varied range of products ranging such as, groups although the Maasai were the
food, vegetables, fruits, and tuber, which form a vital source of earlier settlers. Some have established
permanent residencies, while others live
food to communities living adjacent to forest especially during the in rental houses around the shopping
dry seasons. Further, forests are home to unique biodiversity and centers neighboring the forest.
numerous species of birds, mammals, and reptiles.
The socio-economic activity of the
communities living adjacent to the forest
To address this disaster and streamline the forestry sector, the Government of Kenya was mainly subsistence agriculture which
enacted the Forest Act of 2005 that gave room for communities living around the forest to they could supplement with non-timber
manage their forests through Participatory Forest Management under registered bodies forest products such as collection of
known as Community Forest Associations (CFA). A number of forests have benefitted medicinal herbs, honey, and wild fruits,
from this unity of local communities managing their resources and such led to the among others. Due to political influence,
rehabilitation of Oloolua Forest. This is an indigenous dry forest located in Ngong Division the Forest has become a major quarrying
of Kajiado North Sub-County, with a total coverage of 661.6 hectares. The forest was zone since 1992 where more than 18
gazette and is managed by both the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and National Museum of hectares of the forest was converted into
Kenya (NMK). It is surrounded by the Ololua, Embulbul, Karen, and Rongai communities. a stone mining stretching into parts of the
The forest consists of a variety of habitats with the indigenous forest covering a total neighboring private farms. Infrastructural

15
 The Power of People United to Restore a Forest
developments also continued to encroach
the forest boundaries contributing to
massive deforestation. The deforestation
greatly contributed to habitat loss and
damage and ecological alteration. Before
it was encroached, the forest was home to
a number of wild animals such as giraffes,
antelopes, and elephants.
Consequently, the forest morphed into a
thick bush of lantana camara thus making
it a security threat. Women and girls are
scared of passing by the forest due to fear
of being raped as numerous cases have
since been recorded. Thugs also use the
thicket and caves at the quarry as hide out
for their loot. The excavated grounds has
become dumping sites for solid wastes
and the stagnant water which collected in
the grounds were perfect breeding sites
for mosquitos.
Bedan Leboo is bothered about the
insecurity in his neighborhood. He
reminisces years when the forest was
still intact and he could see wild animals
wander through the neighborhood. He
yearned for a secure environment for his
sisters, mothers, and all the women folk
who were constantly afraid of venturing
out into the fields un accompanied. He
longed to sleep soundly at night without
fear of thugs breaking into their homes.
In 2010, he approached his neighbours
and through his leadership they formed
Earh galleys as aresult of querry minning activites leading to erosion
16
a group known as Oloolua Forest
Management Participatory Group, a user
group within Ngong Forest Association. An
interesting dynamic of the group is that it
comprised mostly of elderly women who
also yearned for change and the desire to
restore their forest to what it was before
the quarry.
Currently, there are 24 members of
the group and they have been able to
lobby and stop the stone mining activity
in the forest. They have requested the
government to kick-start the process
of rehabilitating the forest. Working in
tandem with other civil societies such as
Kenya Forest Working Group, government
agencies like Kenya Forest Services
and National Museums of Kenya, re-
afforestation of over 5 hectares of the
forest and growth of over 5000 trees has
been completed. They have planted only
indigenous tree species such as Croton
Megalocarpus, Olea Africana, Markhamia
Lutea among others.
Their greatest challenge has been on
clearing the thicket before planting the
seedlings. Lantana camara regenerates
very fast and within no time, they form
thick undercovers and canopies that
do not favour the younger trees. As
the group majorly consists of elderly
women who are not very energetic to do
tedious work, their day-to-day activities
have become slower. Mama Benedicta
Wanjiru laments of the reluctance of the
younger people in joining them to save
their environment and to provide the
much needed workforce. She is also quick
to point out that perhaps the younger
generation needs to be enticed with
income-generating activities to join in.
Earlier in 2018, the group signed a
forest management contract with the
Kenya Forest Service on behalf of the
community and the government on
how best they could reclaim the deep
valleys created as a result of the mining.
They hope to fill them in with soil and
afterward plant more trees. Once the
forest is totally restored, it is their wish
that they will be able to practice eco-
tourism through the re-introduction of
wild animals, development of nature trails
and beekeeping. Through this, they will
be able to get some income and improve
their livelihoods while conserving their
environment and offering services to
tourists.
For poor communities to benefit from
environmental and social capital there is
need for vigilance and voicing out ills while
working in partnership with government
and other institutions ,in order to realize
an environmentally friendly natural
resource base.
Turning Waste to Briquette Production in Kibera Slums in Nairobi - Kenya

Trizer Omugar and Vincent Liavalia, Suswatch Kenya

but they have since initiated trial phases
with other raw materials such as sawdust,
charcoal dust, sugarcane peels, banana
peels and other organic wastes. The
Eco-San toilets use the concept of waste
separation; that is a separation of human
waste from urine. The toilets fill up quite
fast and they have to continuously empty
the bio-slurry. The briquette making
would , therefore, address bio-slurry
management and promote continuous
access to the facility.
Mr. Solomon Mwangi, the Briquette
Production Manager explained the
production process to us. He mentioned
the first trial incorporated human waste
but after they took the first samples
to Kenya Industrial Research and
Briquettes being dried at the biocenter in Kibera
Development Institute (KIRDI) for testing
, they were advised that the eco sludge
It is also estimated that levels were high . Since then production
has been halted until further tests ensure
more than 80% of urban that all pathogens are killed to enhance
households use charcoal safety of the products.
as the main source for
They have since embarked on using
cooking fuel and only 6%of charcoal dust and sawdust as the main raw
households use advanced materials which are mixed with cassava
flour porridge to bind the products.
fuels, mostly Liquefied Apart from charcoal dust, it is important
Petroleum Gas... to carbonize raw materials in a special
A woman cooking with Biogas at a Biocenter in Kibera Nairobi kiln to give it a charcoal-dust look. The
Kenya is transitioning to a middle-income status and is classified as a low-middle bound product is then mixed thoroughly
income country by the World Bank (2015). This development demands high energy and a little water added to it then run
output for commercial, industrial and domestic consumption. Aware of green growth through the machine. For every 4 sacks of
and the need to reduce emissions by 30% under the Paris Agreement, Kenya has put 90kg charcoal-dust , 2 kg of cassava flour
in place mechanisms and strategies that will complement her Nationally Determined porridge is added. The process is quite
Contributions (NDC) while ensuring that the nation is on a low carbon development, simple but very labour intensive.
resource efficient, sustainable resource management, equitable and an inclusive
socio-economic transformative path. This is stated in the Green Economy Strategy Once the trials are complete, they
Implementation Plan. will need to upscale production which
requires more space for safe handling
At the household level, biomass fuel is the major component of energy at 65% of human waste and bulk production so
nationally, with 90% of the rural poor using wood fuel exclusively according to Society for until they acquire more space, they may
International Development. It is also estimated that more than 80% of urban households have to produce fewer pieces against the
use charcoal as the main source for cooking fuel and only 6%of households use advanced growing demand.
fuels, mostly Liquefied Petroleum Gas
The community and businesses with in
Lack of access to clean sources of energy is a major impediment to development. A Kibera are receptive of the produce and
household’s socio-economic status highly influences the type of energy used, especially already two hotels purchase most of the
for cooking and lighting. In the Kenya market, the cleaner sources are more costly hence briquettes on a daily basis. Some of the
a reserve to those households with higher socio-economic profiles. households have since stopped using
charcoal in exchange of the briquettes
The population of Kibera slums in Nairobi is characterized by the urban poor, majority of citing that not only are they more
whom live below a dollar a day. As is expected, charcoal and firewood are the predominant affordable but also burn longer thus
energy sources. The schools and hospitals use firewood despite the associated health saving them money. The production is in
implications and environmental degradation impacts. Realizing the growing need to the initial stages yet demand is high. The
provide alternative sources of clean and affordable energy to their target population briquettes are sold at a retail price of Ksh
who are the urban poor, Umande Trust Organization initiated a social enterprise project 30 per kilogram.Once the trial phase is
on briquette production within the informal settlement of Kibera. complete, they may have to increase the
price for sustainability of the project.
A couple of years ago, Umande Trust established bio-sanitation facilities within Kibera
to improve hygiene and sanitation and to provide clean energy in form of biogas. Ms. Upon expansion, Umande Trust hopes
Benazir Omoto, Umande Trust’s Project Officer mentioned that after a while, the demand to provide a source of income to some
for biogas outgrew their supply due to the high population within the area hence they residents of Kibera by employing some
devised briquette production which would address the health and sanitation, energy in the production unit, since the process
provision, climate change and environmental issues as well as socio-economic aspect of is very labour intensive thus solving both
the urban .The initial concept was to use the slurry from the human waste from the Eco- the problems of unemployment and
San toilets at the bio-center and mix it with the required by-products to produce briquette unsafe household energy needs.

17
 Uganda is Receiving Climate Financing for Climate Change Projects. Expectations are high but will
finance deliver resilience building? Will implementation be different from business as usual?
Ms. Susan Nanduddu Executive Director African
Center for Trade and Development
Ms. Susan Nanduudu is the Executive
Director of the African Centre for Trade
and Development (ACTADE). It is a
Ugandan think tank- Non-governmental
Organisation working to influence the
promotion and enjoyment of social,
political and economic rights by all.
ACTADE advises government on among
other things priority setting for the
national budget and monitoring its
implementation in selected Sectors and
at the grass roots where Citizens receive
service delivery from their Districts and
Lower Local Governments such as the
Sub-Counties and Parishes. Deliberating
on Climate Change adaptation measures
that support communities to anticipate
and build resilience to impacts of climate
change ensuring that no one is left
behind, especially the women, youths
and persons with disability is also part of
ACTADE role. Notwithstanding, ACTADE
aims to promote trade development
through policy advocacy, research and
capacity building.
In this interview Susan chats with the East
African Suswatchdog Newsletter Editor
Emily Arayo Arineitwe on issues of Climate
Finance.
What are the connotations of Climate
Finance, Green Climate Finance, and
Adaptation Fund?
Climate Finance basically refers to
dedicated finance made available
through the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC),
to address climate change. There is no
agreed definition globally, which makes it
difficult to ring-fence climate finance from
Official Development Finance when looked
at globally. At the national level however,
climate finance should be the public
funds locally generated but dedicated
to respond to the challenges of climate
18
change. Otherwise, almost all climate finance in Uganda has been through partnerships
with multilateral institutions or bilateral cooperation with other governments or related
institutions.
Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Adaptation Fund are two of the various financing
mechanisms set up by Parties in the UNFCCC to mobilise and deliver climate finance to
developing countries in their efforts to address climate change. The GCF is the largest
fund which aims to deliver equal amounts towards activities for mitigation (reducing
Greenhouse Gas Emissions) and Adaptation (adjusting to the impacts of climate change).
Adaptation Fund on the other hand contributes finance to solely address adaptation and
resilience building.
Who is in charge of these funds in Uganda?
In Uganda a National Designated Authority (NDA) was created in the Ministry of Finance,
Planning and Economic Development (MFPED), that acts as the interface between the
government and GCF, and must approve all GCF project activities within the country.
Mr. Keith Muhakanizi-the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance Planning and
Economic Development is the NDA for Uganda.
However, this does not mean that the NDA is charged with managing the funds, No. All
Institutions that wish to access funds on behalf of the country from the GCF in particular,
must get a recommendation from the NDA. However the GCF has its elaborate process
through which to access funds as explained below.
It is important to note that institutions that have been accredited to the funds have the
responsibility of managing the funds they access. The projects may be implemented
by other entities – referred to as implementing entities or executing entities, but must
report to the accredited entity with the overall management responsibility to the Fund.
What are the procedures of getting finance from the fund? Who are the stakeholders
involved?
For the funds to be obtained there are different principles that are quite similar.
Organisations with proven record can apply for accreditation with the Fund. Once
approved then proposals can be submitted for possible funding by the respective Fund.
It is important to note that the Accreditation process is very elaborate and can be
time and resource consuming. For the GCF, there are both Direct Access Entities and
International Access Entities. Direct Access refers to National Institutions within a given
country that meet the criteria. In Uganda, Ministry of Water and Environment, Kampala
Capital City Authority and National Environment Management Authority have applied
for accreditation but none has been approved yet. International Implementing Entities
represent organisations such as United Nations, Multilateral Development Banks and
Regional Institutions.
What is the status of Uganda’s projects regarding the fund? How do Ugandans get
these funds?
This is a great question worth addressing to the NDA. For the ordinary person, and
any other person not close enough to the NDA, it is very difficult to know the status of
Uganda’s projects with the GCF and any other Fund, except through regularly checking
on their websites. But this should not be the case and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)
are asking for increased information sharing with stakeholders by the NDA. Awareness
raising about the Fund and its activities and or opportunities, is one of the core functions
of the NDA.
However, there are some projects that have recently been launched in Uganda such as the
$7.75 million project of the Adaptation Fund though the Sahel Sahara Observatory (OSS),
a Regional Implementing Entity. The project targets the Awoja, Maziba and Aswa River
catchments in the Eastern, South Western and Northern parts of Uganda. This is implemented
by the Ministry of Water and Environment for a period of four years.
Another project is funded by the GCF through the UNDP for 8 years with a total of $44.3m. The
implementers include Ministry of Water and Environment, Uganda National Meteorological
Authority and Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries. It is targeting multiple
districts in Eastern and South-Western regions of Uganda.
How will these funds benefit the poor persons of Uganda to be more resilient to climate
change?
Shall finance deliver resilience building? Will implementation be different from business as
usual? It is important for all stakeholders to reflect on these questions. My take on this is that
the project designs must show the additionality component to the projects. They should
demonstrate that the people and ecosystems will be able to withstand the given climate
shocks beyond the project. There must be awareness raising about climate change and a
discussion about how to increasingly respond to it.
Uganda is Receiving Climate Financing for Climate Change Projects. Expectations are high but will
finance deliver resilience building? Will implementation be different from business as usual?

It should entail learning by all stakeholders on what works and what does not; and this From ACTADE’s experience in working
knowledge should be shared with both project beneficiaries and other stakeholders. with local Communities and Governments
The implementation should draw in a variety of stakeholders for synergy building. in attaining service delivery, how possible
For instance, academia and civil society institutions bring in knowledge management can communities include Climate
expertise and increased citizen engagement respectively. They should be involved. Change activities in their annual budget
Beneficiaries should know that it is an opportunity to learn from their experiences and conferences for Government funding?
therefore should be open to share what works and what does not work. Firstly, there has to be a community
meeting in which priorities are agreed
From your perspective what are the type of projects to benefit the poor people in Uganda upon. At this stage, it is important that
(from a local perspective, what adaptation practices in the farming, sector, water sector Climate Change be articulated as a
and energy sector are ideal for investments of the Climate Fund in Uganda?). problem, and interventions proposed for
For Uganda, adaptation to climate change is a priority to mitigation because of our inclusion in both work plans and budgets.
very negligible contribution to the problem, yet we suffer seriously from the impacts. These can then be presented to the duty
Why do we suffer a lot from the impacts of climate change? Because our economy and bearers forehand, during and even after
livelihoods are heavily dependent on natural resources, especially rain-fed agriculture. budget conferences – stressing the need
With uncertain seasons and extreme events including droughts and floods, livelihoods to finance climate-relevant activities.
and the economy become vulnerable. Take for instance the year 2016 and 2017 where However, this may be quite technical for
droughts were severe. ordinary people to know what is climate
relevant and what is not, especially
A lot of resources had to be channel towards relief, yet Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) since there are so many pressing needs
did not meet its targets in revenue collection. Our economy struggled. at the community level that need to be
prioritised. There is still a gap in educating
Adaptation practices should therefore be both small and largescale. We need technology not only communities, but also Local
interventions in harvesting, storing and delivering water to crops and livestock in Government officials in drawing the line
the quantities adequate for plants and animals to thrive during days of water stress. between the two. Some activities that are
Crop farming should adopt water conservation techniques such as mulching and use funded are already climate-relevant but
of manure, as the new norm. Agro-forestry is a wonder technique that does not only stakeholders may not know. For instance
improve soil fertility but it also provides shade to crops such as coffee, nutritious fruits tree planting.
and fodder for animals. This should be promoted.
Who are the influencers of Climate
As a country dependent on natural resources especially for our energy needs, we need to Change Policy locally, regionally and
invest in technologies that are efficient for cooking so that we tap the abundant sunshine globally?
for not only lighting but for other energy needs. We need to invest in energy saving cook Influencers mean who is influencing the
stoves for households and institutions, adopt the use of charcoal made from waste called outcomes of climate policy at all these
briquettes and adapt to using solar energy. levels.
Globally I may give my opinion but it is
The government needs to invest more in solar energy -based plants than hydro power largely the researchers and here the IPCC
as they are cheaper and will save the country from high indebtedness in which we are is particularly relevant; private sector
currently trapped. Lastly but not least, pay attention to the resilience of ecosystems we know through the corridors that
because they have fed generations and the biggest source of our livelihoods. Planting some companies influence negotiators’
trees. Preserving trees. Let the wetlands fulfil their natural function with minimal positions in developed countries; and civil
disruption. Avoiding improper disposal of plastic waste – they harm the environment. society. However the decision-makers are
The awareness and education of these issues is critical because at the core, is behavioural the politicians who are the negotiators
change that thinks about future generations while we use the available resources. – although negotiating teams include
technocrats.
What would be the best implementation approach (from central to districts or from
decentralized structures of local governments?) At the national level, climate policy
I have not found research that suggests which approach is better. However, participatory has been influenced largely by
approaches have proved to be more sustainable as they empower the people with the developments at the international level
knowledge, skills and sometimes technologies to do the right thing. Implementation through the UNFCCC framework and
approaches should therefore be accommodative of the time needed to interest other frameworks like the Sustainable
stakeholders and engage them actively, for the learning to take place. Development Goals. However CSOs have
played a key role in shaping the policy
Considering the Human Rights Based Approach to development, how can poor Citizens together with government. Mostly it has
who are Right holders become proactive to demand for Climate Change interventions been driven by the Ministry of Water
from their duty bearers? and Environment specifically the Climate
Empowered citizens should communicate their experiences with the duty bearers, Change Department (CCD), but it has
making known their priority needs for the annual budgets. Once the needs are translated succeeded in convening many Ministries,
into approved government budgets, then they should monitor to ensure that budget Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of
lines are implemented accordingly. For instance, if drought is more frequent, they can Government and involved them. However,
demand for awareness about the problem and how they can address it better. Therefore Private sector has been on the fringe in
budgets for trainings and or awareness should be embedded in addition to the business the shaping of Climate Change Policy in
as usual plan where seeds for farming are distributed. Water harvesting and storage Uganda, but they are expected to be lead
technologies such as dams from which they can water their animals and/or irrigate their implementers.
farms should be prioritised. This way the Citizens will be able to make the connection
about the interventions the government already has in plan, why, and possibly plan At the local level, my view is that whoever
for more together, including adopting co-financing options. This approach is desired. has resources, especially financial and
Unfortunately, a lot of investment is required in building a more civically engaged society technical resources, influences policy.
in Uganda.

19
 Mama Noran Strives for Energy Security in Narok
Trizer Omugar, Suswatch Kenya
Many women in Africa fend for their
homes in various ways including availing
food, cooking energy, water for domestic
use and health care among others. Mama
Noran from Ololulunga Community in Narok
County Kenya is one among such women
who has ushered in a new array of energy
use in her household and community. Anew
way of building climatechange resilience
through usingbiogas.
For a community that derives its livelihood
from livestock, people in Narok especially in
Ololulunga, Mama Noran has established
a biogas plant in her home that is able to
provide her with energy for cooking and
lighting.
She has brought more innovation to her
house by storing hot food in a hand-made
storage material woven from fiber woven
into a reed-basket with a cushioned cover
made of highly compressed fiber that
enhances maximum heat retention within
the basket. She says “After setting up the
biogas plant in my home, I no longer have
any expenditure on energy for cooking
and lighting as I have numerous cows that
provide me with cow dung for constant bio-
gas production. She adds that “Previously
when I was using kerosene for lighting and
firewood and charcoal for cooking, I used
to spend close to Ksh 200 per day as I have
a big family.”
The learning is captivating and her
community will soon adapt her new energy
saving habits. She observes that “My
neighbors marvel at how easier my house
20
chores have become and ask me how they can also develop a biogas system in their homes.”
Close to Mama Noran’s home lives NoolparakuoKoriato another female household head.
She is also benefitting from her herd of cows whose dung she usesto produce bio-gas. She
sought technical advice from Kenya Forest Working Group which advised her on setting up
the household biogas system that she now uses for cooking.
When unable to get enough bio-gas for cooking, she has become more creative by modifying
her cook stove by using cement all round her cooking area and allowing only one fire place
opening for firewood. She says that this has greatly reduced heat loss and has also enhanced
efficiency of the cook-stoves. She compares the traditional ways of cooking with open flames
and her new innovation.The latter is more beneficial to her, the latter is reminiscent and old
fashioned now. “The traditional three-stone cook stoves that I used before shifting to bio-gas
required a lot of firewood and also emitted a lot of smoke which made it harder for me to cook
and turned my previously cream kitchen walls to black,” she says. Mama Noolparakuo also
bought a solar housing system, which she now uses for lighting.
Since time immemorial the socio-economic stay of the Maasai people isnomadic pastoralism.
According to elder Nkruna, a conservationist, farmer and resident of Ololulunga in Narok
County, his recount on the changing lifestyles of the Maasai peoplepresents a pro-poor
community that seeks to stay afloat amidst climate changes over time. He attests that the
pastoralists are slowly trying to adopt new lifestyles unless compelled by forces of nature
such as serious flooding or drought which requires them to travel long distances in search
of water and pasture. “They prefer to lease landthat is far from water sources, and land that
is not fertile which has lower rent value for them. The sale of land encourages monetary
stability which allowing them to build permanent houses for settlement and with it also comes
reduction in cattle herds”.
Narok County where Mama Noolparakuo and Mama Noran hail from is one of the regions
that has been severely impacted by climate variability and climate change caused by massive
deforestation and environmental degradation of the Mau Forest. The Mau Forest is one of
the main water towers for Kenya.
Land use and land cover changes such as conversion of pastoral land to mechanized
agricultural farms, cutting down forests for settlement and farmlands and fragmenting land
previously owned communally to individual plots, have greatly contributed to the degradation
of the environment.
This situation is exacerbated by the fact that Narok County is located in an arid region thus
very deficient in moisture and scarce vegetation. Over the years, it has recorded frequent
flooding, soil erosion, landslides and drought, which culminate into famine, loss of lives,
destruction of property, crop failure and food insecurity among others.
Biomass is by far the main source of household energy in Kenya. In urban areas, charcoal is
predominantly used. With rapid population growth and urbanization, charcoal use is likely
to remain high for decades. Narok County is one of the main producers of charcoal in Kenya
and over the years, charcoal production has increased in an unsustainable manner resulting
into massive deforestation, desertification and soil erosion. “While charcoal production
now occurs almost entirely in the informal sector, it has great potential to be transformed
through effective regulation, to become environmentally sustainable and contribute to low
carbon development in Kenya,” says Mr. Jackson Bamboo of Kenya Forest Working Group
(KFWG), during a meeting held in August 2017 to review the Charcoal Rules and Regulations
in Narok County. Though the partnership between the Department of Environment and
Forestry, Community Forest Associations and KFWG, the County is currently in the process of
developing a policy on Charcoal Rules and Regulations by domesticating the National Forest
(Charcoal) Rules of 2009.
Besides utilizing energy options with the community reach, poor communities can shield
from harsh vagaries of climate change by adapting new farming practices. Mama Noran is
on her way to being a food basket champion in her community. Her resolution to practice
conservation agriculture has also yielded fruits. A walk through her farm paints a different
picture of the dry locality. Her organic farm is very green and with a variety of crops, because
of the benefit of irrigation. Her proximity to River Ololulunga makes it easier for her to draw
water to irrigate her farm and she has managed to plant a variety of indigenous vegetables
such as kales - sukuma-wiki, onions, and beans, making her one of the main food crop
suppliers in the local market. Mama Noran also keeps indigenous chicken which have higher
market value.
Poor communities have to strive hard to seek innovative solutions to enable them be resilient
to climate change.
Promoting the Implementetion of the
Paris Agreement in East Africa (PIPA)
-With focus on pro, low emission development.