Turning up the heat: Climate change and poverty in Uganda

Oxfam International Research Report

Author: John Magrath, Programme Researcher, Oxfam GB

People in developing countries like Uganda, whose contribution to global warming has been miniscule, are feeling the impacts of climate change first and worst.

Climate shocks undermine health and well-being, the economy and the overall development of the country. Food insecurity in Uganda is a major challenge and climate shocks are making the problem worse.

Climate change does not happen in isolation. It interacts with existing problems and challenges – notably deforestation, soil degradation, declining food security, declining fish stocks – and makes them worse. Adaptation has to start with adaptation to the current climate. The people of Uganda are highly susceptible to present climatic variations and shocks. Building resilience to how the climate is currently changing is vital both in its own right and as a way to build resilience to whatever climatic changes the future has in store. The right strategies to adapt to climate change will also be the right strategies for truly sustainable development, and to reduce poverty, if properly implemented.

The government of Uganda is planning how the country can adapt to climate change, and how these measures can be aligned to poverty reduction strategies. This report examines the impacts of climate changes on agriculture, pastoralism, health, and water in Uganda. It aims to raise awareness of these issues among Ugandan society, and through building constructive dialogue, contribute to improving and strengthening Uganda's National Adaptation , and other national adaptation strategies.

Read full report (PDF 1.8MB)

Publication date: July 2008