Uganda Green Economy Barometer

Uganda has the potential to become a green economic powerhouse, powered by organic agriculture and clean energy. Research has found that green economic policies could boost GDP by as much as 10%, delivering an extra US$3.4 billion in growth by 2020, all while creating 4 million new jobs and reducing carbon emissions by almost a third. But how can Uganda get from policy to practice?

While the concept of a green economy is new to Uganda, the practice and principles of a green economy are not. The core principles of a green economy are mainstreamed in a number of government policies, laws, plans and programmes. Uganda has several on-going and planned green growth projects and initiatives by both Government and non- State actors including the following - the Switch Africa Green project; Uganda Green Incubation Programme; various renewable energy projects; sustainable transport initiatives; cities and urban development initiatives; and climate change measures and actions on mitigation, adaptation and residence.

Generally, the policy environment is conducive for the implementation of SDGs, including political commitment to sustainable and inclusive development. However, most of the policies, plans and laws that seek to meet SDGs including through green growth initiatives, have largely remained on paper and are not implemented. Non-state actors, including the civil society and the private sector, are proactively engaged in implementation of green growth initiatives and programmes but only to a certain degree. Huge financial investments are required if the transition to a green economy is to be achieved.

Read more in the 2018 GEC Barometer - produced by our in-country partners ACODE.