More than 7,000 school children from the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area, including districts as far as Mityana and Masaka, gathered at KCCA City Hall Gardens to take part in a 2-kilometre Children’s Climate Change March.
The march was held as a show of commitment by young people to protect the environment in their schools, homes, and communities.
The event was organised by Little Hands Go Green with support from partners including Hariss International, makers of Riham, Psalms Food Industries, the Climate Change Department under the Ministry of Water and Environment, the National Forestry Authority, and Kampala Capital City Authority.
Several officials attended the event, among them the Deputy Executive Director of KCCA, the Director of Gender at KCCA, the Acting Executive Director of NFA, and representatives from Parliament and the Ministry of Water and Environment. Environmental civil society groups and leaders from the Little Hands Go Green Schools Network were also present.
This marks the fifth year the march has been held at KCCA City Hall. Organisers noted that this year’s event was unique, as it was held simultaneously in Kampala and Munich, Germany, with participants in both cities joining virtually and flagging off the march together.
Speaking at the event, Little Hands Go Green founder Joseph Masembe praised the children for taking the lead in climate action.
“We have seen the resilience and passion of these young Green Ambassadors who have taken it upon themselves to change the narrative and add their voices to the global fight against climate change,” he said.
He added, “Taking the lead in this signifies a revolutionary approach of putting children centre stage in the fight against climate change.”
A representative from the Ministry of Water and Environment reaffirmed the government’s commitment to environmental protection.
“Government remains committed to ensuring a greener, healthier Pearl of Africa where environmental and biodiversity conservation are top priorities,” the official said.
The annual march continues to grow, highlighting the increasing role of young people in advocating for climate action in Uganda and beyond.
