Uganda is quietly shifting how it finances its fight against climate change, pushing resources closer to the communities that feel its effects most.
A government-backed programme that channels climate funding directly to districts has now expanded to 24 districts, up from just four pilot areas in 2023, in what officials describe as a significant step toward locally driven solutions.
The expansion comes with fresh backing from Denmark, which has committed $23.4 million to support the initiative. The programme, known as the Local Facility and implemented under the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), is designed to do something relatively simple but often difficult in practice: ensure climate funding reaches the “last mile,” the communities facing floods, droughts and shifting weather patterns.
“Local is Uganda’s gateway to locally led climate finance, ensuring resources reach the last mile, while focusing on sustainable investments,” said Ben Kumumanya, permanent secretary in the ministry of Local Government, while opening the 4th Annual National Local Workshops.
Those workshops, held in Moroto and Gulu in April 2026, brought together district leaders and central government officials to review progress and plan the next phase. Behind the technical language, the shift reflects a growing recognition that climate adaptation cannot be managed from Kampala alone.
Instead, districts are being given both funding and responsibility. The Local Facility works by linking climate financing to performance. In simple terms, districts receive grants, but how much they get depends on how well they plan, implement and account for projects.
The funds are integrated into Uganda’s broader intergovernmental fiscal transfer system, the mechanism through which central government resources are distributed to local authorities.
Alongside the funding, districts receive technical support to help them design projects that build resilience, whether that means improving water systems, protecting farmland, or strengthening infrastructure against extreme weather.
The approach appears to be gaining traction. Over the past four years, 14 districts have collectively invested Shs14 billion in locally led climate projects. Ten more districts have now joined the programme, bringing the total to 24, including Kasese, Nebbi, Nwoya, Nakapiripirit, Zombo, Kikuube and Gulu. For many of these areas, the timing is critical.
District leaders say climate pressures are no longer abstract. Erratic rainfall, prolonged dry spells and flooding are already affecting agriculture, livelihoods and local economies.
Speaking on behalf of participating districts, Nwoya’s Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Yusuf Akubonabona, described the programme as both timely and necessary.
He said the support comes at “a critical time for districts long affected by climate risks,” while expressing hope that more vulnerable areas would be included as the programme expands. Development partners, too, are signalling the need to scale up. Justine Adrain, representing UNCDF, said the momentum must not stall.
