Mbale, Uganda: The Ministry of Defense, Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF), and the Ministry of Water and Environment have resolved to work closely with the Bugisu cultural institution on issues of climate security, with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) set to be signed to formalize the partnership.
This was revealed by the institution’s spokesperson, Mr. Steven Masiga, while speaking to DailyExpress at the Bugisu cultural offices. He noted that the visiting team from the Ministry of Defense and UPDF had briefed His Highness the Umukuka III, Jude Mike Mudoma, on a nationwide climate security survey being undertaken through questionnaires to gather community input on climate planning and management.
In his remarks, the Umukuka welcomed the delegation and proposed practical measures to strengthen climate resilience in Bugisu, including the signing of an MoU with government, issuance of land titles for communities living near national parks to curb encroachment, and the adoption of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms to address land-related conflicts.
Brig. Johnson Nuwamanya, who led the delegation, emphasized that the UPDF is mandated under Article 209 of the Constitution to participate in civil activities, including environmental protection. He explained that the ongoing climate research aligns with Uganda’s Vision 2040 and international protocols on climate and environment. He assured the Umukuka that the findings and proposed strategy would be shared with the cultural leadership once completed.
The military team included Col. David Muhanguzi, Col. Michael Kanyumunyu, Lt. Col. Ronald Kakurungu, and Mr. Smuts Amolo. They were received by the Umukuka alongside his cabinet ministers and envoys, among them Attorney General Hon. Richard Masereje, Counsel Wadada, Minister for Lands Hon. Patrick Mataku, Minister for Environment Hon. Peter Kiwuso, and Minister for Climate Change Hon. Simon Wamoto.
The Defense team’s visit was coordinated by Ms. Esther Ninshaba on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defense, while Mr. Masiga led coordination for the Bugisu cultural institution on behalf of Prime Minister Dr. Paul Mwambu, who was away on official duties.
If you would like your article/opinion to be published on Uganda’s most authoritative news platform, send your submission on: [email protected]. You can also follow DailyExpress on WhatsApp and on Twitter (X) for realtime updates.
