Climate change is no longer a distant threat; it is an urgent reality that continues to shape the lives of millions around the world, particularly in developing nations like Uganda. Over the past decades, Uganda has faced the increasing wrath of unpredictable weather patterns, prolonged droughts, floods, and landslides that have deeply affected communities. However, among the most vulnerable to these changes are young people, who form most of the Uganda’s population. The impact of climate change on the youth is multidimensional, affecting their education, health, livelihoods, and overall wellbeing. The Rwenzori region, located in western Uganda, presents a vivid picture of how climate change has disrupted the lives of young people, threatening their hopes and future opportunities.
Uganda’s population is predominantly youthful, with over 75% under the age of 30. This demographic structure means that the burden of climate-related challenges falls heavily on the youth. In regions such as Kasese, Bundibugyo, and Ntoroko within the Rwenzori sub-region, the changing climate has not only destroyed infrastructure and displaced families but has also altered the social and economic dynamics of communities. The youth, who should be the driving force of economic growth and innovation, find themselves battling survival in the face of recurring environmental disasters. Climate change in Uganda manifests through increasing temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, the melting of glaciers on Mount Rwenzori, and intensified extreme weather events. These have had direct and indirect effects on agriculture, water resources, education, and employment, with young people being the most affected.
In the Rwenzori region, the youth’s livelihoods are deeply connected to agriculture. Farming is the primary source of income for most young people, either through family farms or small-scale individual initiatives. However, erratic rainfall patterns have made agricultural productivity highly unpredictable. Previously, farmers could depend on consistent seasonal rains, but today, rainfall often comes too early, too late, or not at all. Prolonged droughts followed by sudden floods have destroyed crops, livestock, and infrastructure. Young farmers in Kasese and Bundibugyo, who once relied on maize, beans, coffee, and banana plantations, have seen their yields drastically reduced. This has led to food insecurity and poverty, pushing many youths to migrate to urban centres in search of better opportunities. Unfortunately, urban migration often results in unemployment, informal labour, or engagement in risky economic activities.
The melting of glaciers on Mount Rwenzori is another indicator of climate change with far-reaching implications for young people. The Rwenzori Mountains, once referred to as the “Mountains of the Moon,” have lost a significant portion of their snow-caps due to rising global temperatures. This melting not only affects water sources but also alters river flows and increases the risk of flooding in low-lying areas such as Kilembe, Nyamwamba, and Katiri. The floods in Kasese District, for instance, have repeatedly destroyed schools, homes, and farmlands. Many young people have been displaced and have lost access to education as schools are turned into temporary shelters for affected families. In 2020 and 2021, severe floods swept through Kasese, displacing hundreds of young students and leaving them without proper access to classrooms for months. The trauma of losing homes and educational materials continues to affect the mental health of the youth in the region.
Climate change has also significantly affected youth employment opportunities. Many young Ugandans depend on natural resources for their livelihoods, including farming, fishing, and tourism. In the Rwenzori region, these sectors have been severely disrupted. Fish stocks in rivers and lakes have reduced due to rising temperatures and pollution from floods that carry debris and waste into water bodies. Tourism, once a major source of employment for young people in Kasese, has been affected by frequent landslides and flooding that destroy access roads and deter visitors. Young tour guides and hospitality workers have seen their incomes disappear as the once-thriving tourism industry struggles to recover from repeated climate shocks.
Furthermore, young people in Uganda face increasing health risks linked to climate change. The spread of diseases such as malaria, cholera, and typhoid has intensified due to the changing climate. In flood-prone areas like Kasese, stagnant water becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes and bacteria, resulting in disease outbreaks. Young children and adolescents are especially vulnerable. Health facilities, already under pressure from limited resources, struggle to handle the increased number of cases. The youth, particularly young women and girls, bear additional burdens when it comes to health and sanitation during such crises. Floods and landslides often destroy toilets and water sources, forcing many young girls to walk long distances in search of clean water, thereby exposing them to risks such as gender-based violence.
Education is another sector where the effects of climate change on young people are evident. In the Rwenzori region, floods and landslides frequently destroy schools and roads, disrupting access to education. When heavy rains wash away bridges, students are unable to reach their schools safely. The Nyamwamba and Mubuku rivers in Kasese have flooded multiple times, damaging classroom buildings and destroying learning materials. Many parents, struggling with poverty due to failed harvests, can no longer afford school fees. As a result, the dropout rate among young people increases, particularly among girls who are often forced into early marriages or domestic labour. The cycle of poverty thus deepens as climate change continues to limit access to education and opportunities for skill development.
In addition to physical impacts, climate change has also had psychological and emotional effects on the youth. Many young people experience eco-anxiety a sense of fear and helplessness about the future. Witnessing the destruction of their environment, loss of livelihoods, and displacement of families creates a feeling of uncertainty. In Kasese, young people who have repeatedly lost homes and farmland due to flooding express frustration and hopelessness, questioning whether their efforts to rebuild are worthwhile. This mental strain affects productivity, motivation, and social stability among the youth. Mental health services are limited in most rural areas, leaving young people to cope with trauma without adequate support.
Despite these challenges, Ugandan youth, particularly those in the Rwenzori region, have not remained passive victims of climate change. Across the country, young people are taking active roles in climate action, environmental conservation, and advocacy. In Kasese District, several youth-led organizations have emerged to promote tree planting, waste management, and renewable energy initiatives. For example, community-based groups supported by organizations such as the Centre for Citizens Conserving Environment and Management (CECIC) have engaged young people in tree planting activities to restore degraded landscapes. In collaboration with schools and local communities, these young activists’ plant indigenous trees to prevent soil erosion and reduce the impact of floods. Such efforts not only contribute to environmental restoration but also provide young people with green jobs and income opportunities.
Youth in the Rwenzori region are also involved in sensitization programs to raise awareness about climate change and its impacts. They use social media, radio programs, and community meetings to educate others on sustainable practices such as proper waste disposal, water conservation, and climate-smart agriculture. Some young innovators have adopted sustainable farming practices by using organic fertilizers, rainwater harvesting systems, and drought-resistant crop varieties. These adaptation strategies are slowly helping communities become more resilient. The involvement of young people in climate education has also inspired many others to take an interest in environmental protection and policy advocacy.
Moreover, climate activism among Ugandan youth has gained momentum in recent years. Across the country, young activists are calling on the government and international bodies to prioritize climate justice and support vulnerable communities. They demand greater investment in renewable energy, reforestation, and disaster management systems. The Fridays for Future movement, led by youth in Uganda, has amplified their voices on global platforms, drawing attention to the disproportionate impact of climate change on African communities. Young Ugandans, including those from the Rwenzori region, have participated in national and international dialogues, sharing their experiences and urging policymakers to act urgently.
However, despite these efforts, the challenges remain overwhelming. Funding for youth-led climate initiatives is limited, and access to climate finance remains a barrier. Many young people have innovative ideas but lack the financial and technical support to implement them. In rural areas like Kasese and Bundibugyo, limited infrastructure and resources make it difficult for youth organizations to sustain long-term projects. Additionally, government support for climate adaptation at the community level is often inadequate. Disaster preparedness programs are poorly coordinated, and early warning systems are either absent or inefficient. As a result, many young people are left to deal with the consequences of climate disasters without proper guidance or resources.
Climate change has also exacerbated inequalities among the youth. Young women, in particular, face gender-specific vulnerabilities. When floods or droughts destroy livelihoods, young women are often the first to be pulled out of school to help with domestic work or to marry early as a coping mechanism for poverty. They face increased risks of gender-based violence during displacement or when collecting water and firewood. Climate-induced poverty pushes young women into unsafe or exploitative labor conditions, including transactional relationships. Thus, the intersection of gender and climate change intensifies the struggles faced by young people in Uganda.
The government of Uganda, alongside development partners, has recognized the importance of youth involvement in climate adaptation and mitigation. Policies such as the National Climate Change Policy and Uganda’s Vision 2040 emphasize the need for youth engagement in sustainable development. However, implementation remains weak, and local participation is often overlooked. Young people in the Rwenzori region continue to advocate for inclusion in decision-making processes, arguing that those most affected by climate change should have a voice in shaping policies that address it. Programs that integrate climate education into school curricula and vocational training could equip young Ugandans with the knowledge and skills needed to adapt and innovate in the face of environmental challenges.
For Uganda to achieve sustainable resilience, empowering young people is essential. This can be done through increased investment in green entrepreneurship, renewable energy, and sustainable agriculture. The government, NGOs, and private sector should create opportunities for youth to access climate finance, training, and mentorship. In regions like Rwenzori, youth-led initiatives in tree planting, waste recycling, and eco-tourism can be scaled up to generate income while protecting the environment. Furthermore, strengthening community-based disaster management systems can help young people prepare and respond effectively to floods, landslides, and droughts.
In conclusion, climate change has profoundly affected young people in Uganda, threatening their education, livelihoods, and mental wellbeing. The situation in the Rwenzori region highlights how environmental degradation and extreme weather events have altered the lives of thousands of youths, pushing them into poverty and uncertainty. However, it also reveals the resilience, creativity, and determination of Uganda’s young generation to fight for their future. Through innovation, activism, and collaboration, young people are becoming the driving force of climate action. Their involvement is not only crucial for environmental sustainability but also for building a just and inclusive future where no young person is left behind. As Uganda continues to face the realities of climate change, investing in its youth remains the most effective strategy for ensuring a sustainable and climate-resilient nation.
The writer, Hellen Masika is a field coordinator at Centre for citizen conserving the environment
