Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action in Uganda

Uganda faces significant climate risks, particularly in its semi-arid northern regions and the 'cattle corridor,' where rising temperatures and rainfall variability threaten agriculture, water, and health. While the government has established a National Climate Change Policy and a coordinating institutional structure, adaptation mainstreaming into sectoral plans and district-level decision-making remains limited. International adaptation finance is heavily concentrated in the agriculture and water sectors, leaving gaps in fisheries, forestry, and health. The country is currently working toward a National Adaptation Plan to better integrate climate resilience into its goal of becoming a middle-income country by 2040.

• Uganda's semi-arid northern and northeastern regions, as well as the "cattle corridor," are identified as the most vulnerable areas due to low socioeconomic development and recurrent droughts.
• Historical climate trends show a statistically significant decrease in annual rainfall since 1960, with a decline of 3.4 mm per month per decade, alongside a mean annual temperature increase of 1.3°C between 1960 and 2003.
• Climate change projections indicate that maximum temperatures in Uganda could rise between 1.7°C and 2.1°C under a medium-emissions scenario (RCP 4.5) and between 3.2°C and 3.9°C under a high-emissions scenario (RCP 8.5) by 2100.
• The agriculture sector is highly vulnerable, with specific risks to Arabica coffee production from higher temperatures and variable rainfall, and risks of aflatoxin in maize and beans if rains increase during the dry season.
• The Government of Uganda has established a formal policy framework, including the National Climate Change Policy approved in April 2015 and the National Adaptation Programme of Action published in 2007.
• Despite national policies, there is a gap in mainstreaming adaptation into sectoral strategies and district-level decision-making; only three districts (Buteleja, Masindi, and Nakasongola) had developed District Environment Policies as of 2009.
• A review of 24 significant adaptation projects shows a heavy concentration in agriculture (46%) and freshwater supply (29%), while sectors like fisheries, energy, and forestry have 0% of identified discrete projects.
• Uganda's estimated annual cost for addressing climate change is US$258 million (1.6% of GDP), but current expenditures are only 0.2% of national GDP.
• Between 2003 and April 2015, Uganda received US$54.1 million in climate finance from designated funds, with 86% (US$46.6 million) allocated specifically to adaptation.

APA

Echeverría, D., Terton, A., & Crawford, A. (2016). Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action in Uganda. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/idl-55952-uganda.pdf

Chicago

Echeverría, Daniella, Anika Terton, and Alec Crawford. Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action in Uganda. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2016. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/idl-55952-uganda.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Echeverría |first1=Daniella |last2=Terton |first2=Anika |last3=Crawford |first3=Alec |title=Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action in Uganda |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=2016 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/idl-55952-uganda.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{echeverra2016review, author = {Echeverría, Daniella and Terton, Anika and Crawford, Alec}, title = {{Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action in Uganda}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2016}, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/idl-55952-uganda.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }