Vision
A climate-resilient, healthy, and sustainable town where people, infrastructure, and ecosystems can withstand and adapt to climate change.
Overall Goal
To strengthen the town’s resilience to climate change impacts while promoting low-carbon and sustainable development.
Introduction
This Climate Change Strategy provides a structured framework to guide Katooke Town Council in responding to climate change impacts affecting the local population. The town is increasingly experiencing hailstorms, water scarcity, heat waves, public health stress, soil erosion, deforestation, wetland encroachment, increasing solid waste, poor farming methods, and rapid population growth. These challenges threaten livelihoods, infrastructure, public health, and sustainable development.
The strategy aligns with national and local legal and policy frameworks, including the National Climate Change Act (2021), National Development Plan (NDP III/IV), and the Local Governments Act. It aims to mainstream climate change adaptation and mitigation into town planning, budgeting, and service delivery.
Specific Objectives
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Reduce vulnerability to hailstorms, heat waves, water scarcity, soil erosion, and climate-related health risks
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Improve water security and climate-resilient infrastructure
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Enhance ecosystem protection and restoration
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Promote community awareness and participation in climate action
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Strengthen local climate governance, planning, and financing
Legal and Policy Framework
This strategy is guided by:
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Constitution of the Republic of Uganda (Objectives XIII & XXVII)
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National Climate Change Act, 2021
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National Environment Act, 2019
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National Development Plan (NDP III / NDP IV)
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Local Governments Act (Cap. 243)
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National Climate Change Policy, 2015
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Disaster Preparedness and Management Policy
These frameworks mandate local governments to plan, budget, and implement climate adaptation and mitigation actions.
More Information
4.0 Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment
4.1 Key Climate and Environmental Challenges
The town faces interconnected challenges driven by climate variability, population growth (approx. 50,000 people), and unsustainable resource use, including:
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Water scarcity due to prolonged dry seasons and increased demand
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Rising temperatures and heat waves in densely populated areas
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Increased climate-related and sanitation-related diseases
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Soil erosion affecting roads, drainage, farmland, and settlements
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Deforestation for firewood, charcoal, construction, and settlement
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Wetland encroachment reducing flood control and biodiversity
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Increasing solid waste with limited recycling
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Poor farming methods and low adoption of climate-smart agriculture
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Rapid population growth increasing pressure on services
4.2 Most Vulnerable Groups
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Women, children, and youth
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Elderly persons and persons with disabilities
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Residents of informal and high-density settlements
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Small-scale farmers and peri-urban households
5.0 Strategic Priority Areas and Actions
5.1 Water Security and Climate-Resilient Supply
Key Actions
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Install rainwater harvesting systems in public institutions
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Promote household water storage and conservation
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Protect water sources, wetlands, and catchment areas
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Rehabilitate boreholes and promote sustainable groundwater use
Expected Outcomes
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Improved access to water during dry seasons
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Reduced drought vulnerability and water-related conflicts
5.2 Heat Wave Management and Greening
Key Actions
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Urban tree planting along roads and public spaces
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Establish shaded public areas and green corridors
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Promote climate-resilient building designs
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Integrate heat-stress awareness into health outreach
Expected Outcomes
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Reduced heat stress
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Improved urban comfort and resilience
5.3 Public Health, Sanitation, and Waste Management
Key Actions
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Strengthen waste collection and disposal systems
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Promote recycling, composting, and waste reduction
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Improve drainage and sanitation infrastructure
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Conduct hygiene and public health awareness campaigns
Expected Outcomes
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Reduced climate-related diseases
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Cleaner, healthier town environment
5.4 Sustainable Land Use, Soil Conservation, and Agriculture
Key Actions
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Promote terracing, agroforestry, and soil conservation
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Support climate-smart agriculture
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Rehabilitate degraded land
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Strengthen land-use planning and enforcement
Expected Outcomes
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Reduced soil erosion
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Improved agricultural productivity and food security
5.5 Forest, Wetland Protection, and Ecosystem Restoration
Key Actions
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Promote tree planting and alternative energy sources
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Enforce wetland protection laws
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Restore degraded wetlands
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Sensitize communities on ecosystem conservation
Expected Outcomes
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Reduced deforestation and wetland degradation
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Improved ecosystem services
5.6 Population Pressure and Community Awareness
Key Actions
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Integrate population and climate issues into planning
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Promote family planning and environmental education
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Engage youth and women groups in climate action
Expected Outcomes
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Reduced pressure on natural resources
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Increased community ownership of climate initiatives
6.0 Climate Governance and Institutional Arrangements
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Establish or strengthen a Town Climate Change Committee
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Integrate climate actions into development plans and budgets
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Designate a climate change focal person
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Strengthen partnerships with NGOs and development partners
7.0 Financing and Resource Mobilisation
Funding sources may include:
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Local government revenues
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Central government grants
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Devolved Climate Finance (DCF)
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Development partners and NGOs
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Community and private-sector contributions
Priority will be given to low-cost, high-impact adaptation actions.
8.0 Implementation Matrix
The strategy includes an implementation matrix outlining key activities, responsible officers, and timelines across water security, heat management, public health, agriculture, forestry, wetlands, and community awareness.
9.0 Monitoring, Evaluation, and Review
Key indicators include:
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Number of climate-resilient projects implemented
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Area restored or protected from erosion
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Institutions with rainwater harvesting systems
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Community members reached through awareness programs
The strategy will be reviewed every three years.
10.0 Conclusion
This Climate Change Strategy provides a clear roadmap for building a resilient and sustainable Katooke Town. Through leadership, community participation, and partnerships, the Town Council will protect lives, livelihoods, and development gains from climate change impacts.