Uganda-Kenya Mark Milestone on Strengthening Urban Resilience to Emerging Disaster and Climate Risk within Buisa Municipalities
Uganda and Kenya have taken a significant step toward building a resilient cross-border future with the successful conclusion of the inaugural Uganda-Kenya Joint Meeting on Urban Resilience, held from June 3–5, 2025, in Busia, Uganda. The three-day meeting organized with the support of UNDP with funds from the Republic of Korea, and the Kingdoms of Luxembourg and Denmark, brought together high-level delegations from both nations to address shared challenges posed by climate change and urban disaster risks in the different municipalities of Busia.
Led by Ambassador Eunice Kigenyi, Deputy Head of Mission and Chargé d'Affaires a.i. at the Uganda High Commission in Nairobi, and Mr. Joel Wamalwa, Chief Executive Officer of the Lake Victoria North Water Works Development Agency for Kenya, the meeting marked a milestone in regional cooperation and environmental diplomacy.
The Uganda Delegation was multi-sectoral, including officials from the Uganda High Commission, Nairobi, Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Works and Transport, Local Government, Water and Environment, Health and the Busia Municipality leadership comprising of the RDC, Member of Parliament, Mayor, Town Clerk, Speaker and staff.
The Kenyan delegation included officials from the Ministries of Water, Interior, and Foreign and Diaspora Affairs—illustrating the country's cross-ministerial commitment.
In his opening address, Mr. Fenard M. Katunda, Town Clerk of Busia Municipality (Uganda), emphasized the region's growing exposure to climate-induced disasters. He cited rapid urbanization, deforestation, and encroachment on wetlands as major contributors to recurrent flooding and infrastructural damage, exacerbated by weak storm-water systems, poor waste management, and limited public awareness.
'Mr. Katunda urged the need to harmonize our cross-border policies and strengthen institutional coordination to safeguard lives, livelihoods, and ecosystems,'
Key Challenges at the Heart of the Agenda
The bilateral session surfaced a range of pressing concerns impacting both municipalities, for instance:
Frequent Flooding due to overwhelmed drainage systems.
Environmental Degradation, including deforestation and wetland loss.
Public Health Risks from waterborne diseases like cholera and typhoid.
Economic Disruptions impacting cross-border trade and infrastructure.
Inadequate Early Warning Systems and limited disaster preparedness.
Weak Enforcement of existing environmental regulations.
A Unified Vision for Action
Reaffirming the need for joint action, His Worship Mr. Amin Sadik Agele, Mayor of Busia Municipality, called for the creation of collaborative frameworks for flood management and climate adaptation stating that 'the challenges we face do not respect borders. Our response must be as unified as the threats are shared.'
Echoing this, Mr. Kisuyi Abdul Nasser, Assistant Resident District Commissioner, advocated for the development of joint Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and a regional action plan grounded in community involvement.
Diplomacy Driving Solutions
Ambassador Kigenyi praised the bilateral engagement and Kenya's mobilization of a multi-sectoral team. Uganda's delegation, she noted, included representatives from the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Local Government, Health, Environment, and Transport, highlighting the country's comprehensive approach where she highlighted how 'the past efforts were often limited by fragmentation and funding gaps.' She further stated how this joint platform, supported by partners like the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) offers a renewed path toward resilience,' Ambassador Kigenyi also highlighted the underscoring importance of leveraging frameworks such as the Uganda-Kenya Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC).
Kenya's delegation leader, Mr. Wamalwa, expressed appreciation for Uganda's hospitality and reinforced Kenya's dedication to a resilient and sustainable urban future for the Busia region.
Expressing gratitude for the support of development partners Republic of Lorea, Luxembourg and Denmark, Mr. Ian King, the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative for Uganda said that the project support resulted from discussions with the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in charge of Regional Affairs Hon. John Mulimba.
Way Forward
The session concluded with a strong mutual commitment to: Develop a comprehensive cross-border resilience strategy, establish harmonized urban planning and environmental policies, and Pursue technical and financial partnerships to support the implementation of resilience-building projects across the region.
Both delegations also agreed to institutionalize the bilateral engagement as an annual platform for reviewing progress, sharing best practices, and reinforcing collaboration on climate adaptation and urban disaster risk reduction in the Busia municipalities.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Republic of Uganda - Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
9 hours ago
- Zawya
Uganda: Venezuelan Ambassador Pays Courtesy Call on Minister of State for Foreign Affairs
Her Excellency Fatima Yesenia Fernandez Juarez, the Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to the Republic of Uganda, today paid a courtesy call on the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (International Affairs ) Hon. Oryem Henry Okello at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. H.E. Fernandez Juarez expressed the profound gratitude of the Venezuelan Government for the warm hospitality and friendship extended to herself and her delegation by the people and Government of Uganda since the formal opening of the Embassy of Venezuela in Kampala in March 2025. The Ambassador underscored the importance of strengthening bilateral ties between Uganda and Venezuela, particularly in light of Uganda's important role as a partner member of the BRICS alliance. On his part, the Minister of State welcomed the establishment of the Venezuelan Embassy in Uganda, describing it as a significant milestone in enhancing bilateral cooperation, commercial diplomacy, and people-to-people engagement between the two nations. He thanked the Venezuelan Government for their commitment to deepening relations with Uganda. In conclusion, the Minister accepted an invitation to visit the newly opened Embassy of Venezuela in Kampala and reiterated Uganda's appreciation for Venezuela's renewed commitment to partnership and collaboration. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Republic of Uganda - Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Zawya
9 hours ago
- Zawya
Uganda-Kenya Mark Milestone on Strengthening Urban Resilience to Emerging Disaster and Climate Risk within Buisa Municipalities
Uganda and Kenya have taken a significant step toward building a resilient cross-border future with the successful conclusion of the inaugural Uganda-Kenya Joint Meeting on Urban Resilience, held from June 3–5, 2025, in Busia, Uganda. The three-day meeting organized with the support of UNDP with funds from the Republic of Korea, and the Kingdoms of Luxembourg and Denmark, brought together high-level delegations from both nations to address shared challenges posed by climate change and urban disaster risks in the different municipalities of Busia. Led by Ambassador Eunice Kigenyi, Deputy Head of Mission and Chargé d'Affaires a.i. at the Uganda High Commission in Nairobi, and Mr. Joel Wamalwa, Chief Executive Officer of the Lake Victoria North Water Works Development Agency for Kenya, the meeting marked a milestone in regional cooperation and environmental diplomacy. The Uganda Delegation was multi-sectoral, including officials from the Uganda High Commission, Nairobi, Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Works and Transport, Local Government, Water and Environment, Health and the Busia Municipality leadership comprising of the RDC, Member of Parliament, Mayor, Town Clerk, Speaker and staff. The Kenyan delegation included officials from the Ministries of Water, Interior, and Foreign and Diaspora Affairs—illustrating the country's cross-ministerial commitment. In his opening address, Mr. Fenard M. Katunda, Town Clerk of Busia Municipality (Uganda), emphasized the region's growing exposure to climate-induced disasters. He cited rapid urbanization, deforestation, and encroachment on wetlands as major contributors to recurrent flooding and infrastructural damage, exacerbated by weak storm-water systems, poor waste management, and limited public awareness. 'Mr. Katunda urged the need to harmonize our cross-border policies and strengthen institutional coordination to safeguard lives, livelihoods, and ecosystems,' Key Challenges at the Heart of the Agenda The bilateral session surfaced a range of pressing concerns impacting both municipalities, for instance: Frequent Flooding due to overwhelmed drainage systems. Environmental Degradation, including deforestation and wetland loss. Public Health Risks from waterborne diseases like cholera and typhoid. Economic Disruptions impacting cross-border trade and infrastructure. Inadequate Early Warning Systems and limited disaster preparedness. Weak Enforcement of existing environmental regulations. A Unified Vision for Action Reaffirming the need for joint action, His Worship Mr. Amin Sadik Agele, Mayor of Busia Municipality, called for the creation of collaborative frameworks for flood management and climate adaptation stating that 'the challenges we face do not respect borders. Our response must be as unified as the threats are shared.' Echoing this, Mr. Kisuyi Abdul Nasser, Assistant Resident District Commissioner, advocated for the development of joint Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and a regional action plan grounded in community involvement. Diplomacy Driving Solutions Ambassador Kigenyi praised the bilateral engagement and Kenya's mobilization of a multi-sectoral team. Uganda's delegation, she noted, included representatives from the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Local Government, Health, Environment, and Transport, highlighting the country's comprehensive approach where she highlighted how 'the past efforts were often limited by fragmentation and funding gaps.' She further stated how this joint platform, supported by partners like the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) offers a renewed path toward resilience,' Ambassador Kigenyi also highlighted the underscoring importance of leveraging frameworks such as the Uganda-Kenya Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC). Kenya's delegation leader, Mr. Wamalwa, expressed appreciation for Uganda's hospitality and reinforced Kenya's dedication to a resilient and sustainable urban future for the Busia region. Expressing gratitude for the support of development partners Republic of Lorea, Luxembourg and Denmark, Mr. Ian King, the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative for Uganda said that the project support resulted from discussions with the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in charge of Regional Affairs Hon. John Mulimba. Way Forward The session concluded with a strong mutual commitment to: Develop a comprehensive cross-border resilience strategy, establish harmonized urban planning and environmental policies, and Pursue technical and financial partnerships to support the implementation of resilience-building projects across the region. Both delegations also agreed to institutionalize the bilateral engagement as an annual platform for reviewing progress, sharing best practices, and reinforcing collaboration on climate adaptation and urban disaster risk reduction in the Busia municipalities. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Republic of Uganda - Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Khaleej Times
9 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Climate change heightens risk of Indian farmer suicides
On a small farm in India's Maharashtra state, Mirabai Khindkar said the only thing her land grew was debt, after crops failed in drought and her husband killed himself. Farmer suicides have a long history in India, where many are one crop failure away from disaster, but extreme weather caused by climate change is adding fresh pressure. Dwindling yields due to water shortages, floods, rising temperatures and erratic rainfall, coupled with crippling debt, have taken a heavy toll on a sector that employs 45 per cent of India's 1.4 billion people. Mirabhai's husband Amol was left with debts to loan sharks worth hundreds of times their farm's annual income, after the three-acre (one-hectare) soybean, millet and cotton plot withered in scorching heat. He swallowed poison last year. "When he was in the hospital, I prayed to all the gods to save him," said 30-year-old Mirabai, her voice breaking. Amol died a week later, leaving behind Mirabai and three children. Her last conversation with him was about debt. Their personal tragedy is replicated daily across Marathwada, a region in Maharashtra of 18 million, once known for fertile farmland. Last year, extreme weather events across India affected 3.2 million hectares (7.9 million acres) of cropland -- an area bigger than Belgium — according to the New Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment research group. Over 60 per cent of that was in Maharashtra. "Summers are extreme, and even if we do what is necessary, the yield is not enough," said Amol's brother and fellow farmer Balaji Khindkar. "There is not enough water to irrigate the fields. It doesn't rain properly." 'Increase the risks' Between 2022 and 2024, 3,090 farmers took their own lives in Marathwada, an average of nearly three a day, according to India's Minister of Agriculture Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Government statistics do not specify what drove the farmers to kill themselves, but analysts point to several likely factors. "Farmer suicides in India are a consequence of the crisis of incomes, investment and productivity that you have in agriculture," said R. Ramakumar, professor of development studies at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences. Farming across many Indian smallholdings is done largely as it has been for centuries, and is highly dependent on the right weather at the correct time. "What climate change and its vulnerabilities and variabilities have done is to increase the risks in farming," Ramakumar said. This "is leading to crop failures, uncertainties... which is further weakening the economics of cultivation for small and marginal farmers." The government could support farmers with better insurance schemes to cope with extreme weather events, as well as investments in agricultural research, Ramakumar said. "Agriculture should not be a gamble with the monsoon." 'Make ends meet' Faced with uncertain weather, farmers often look to stem falling yields by investing in fertilisers or irrigation systems. But banks can be reluctant to offer credit to such uncertain borrowers. Some turn to loan sharks offering quick cash at exorbitant interest rates, and risking catastrophe if crops fail. "It is difficult to make ends meet with just farming," Mirabai said, standing outside her home, a tin-roofed hut with patch-cloth walls. Her husband's loans soared to over $8,000, a huge sum in India, where the average monthly income of a farming household is around $120. Mirabai works on other farms as a labourer but could not pay back the debt. "The loan instalments piled up," she said, adding that she wants her children to find jobs outside of farming when they grow up. "Nothing comes out of the farm." The agricultural industry has been in a persistent crisis for decades. And while Maharashtra has some of the highest suicide rates, the problem is nationwide. Thirty people in the farming sector killed themselves every day in 2022, according to national crime records bureau statistics. At another farm in Marathwada, 32-year-old farmer Shaikh Imran took over the running of the family smallholding last year after his brother took his own life. He is already more than $1,100 in debt after borrowing to plant soybean. The crop failed. Meanwhile, the pop of explosives echoes around as farmers blast wells, hoping to hit water. "There's no water to drink," said family matriarch Khatijabi. "Where shall we get water to irrigate the farm?"
