Ugandan Youth Rise for the Planet: Students Join Global Climate Strike Movement

A torrential downpour delayed the start, thinning the expected crowd. But once the skies cleared, a determined group of young Ugandan climate activists set off through the streets of Kampala, their handmade placards turning heads among passing boda-boda drivers and pedestrians.

“Keep Mama Africa Green” and “Our Earth Is on Fire,” read the signs carried proudly by about 30 marchers weaving through one of the capital’s leafy suburbs. The small but passionate protest was part of a growing youth movement demanding urgent action on climate change.

From Sweden to Sub-Saharan Africa

What began with 16-year-old Swedish activist Greta Thunberg’s school strike outside the Swedish parliament has become a global campaign spanning continents — from Europe and the Americas to Asia and now Africa.

In Uganda, the effects of a warming planet are increasingly visible. “There’s a clear change in rainfall patterns. Temperatures are rising,” said Irene Kananura, 22, one of the organizers of Fridays for Future Uganda, glancing up at the gray clouds.

“We’re not getting enough food anymore. Crops are drying up, and livestock no longer have enough pasture,” she added.

That poses a serious threat in a country where nearly 75% of jobs and 85% of exports are tied to agriculture, according to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

Climate Impacts Close to Home

Uganda’s environment is under growing pressure. Deforestation and erratic rainfall have triggered deadly landslides — including one in eastern Uganda last October that killed more than 40 people.

Among the youngest marchers was 7-year-old Diana, proudly holding up a placard she drew herself. “My picture shows people cutting down trees,” she explained. “When you cut trees, wild animals lose their homes — and that’s dangerous. I love forests because that’s where monkeys live.”

Fighting Ignorance and Fear

Despite these visible warning signs, many Ugandans still struggle to link local environmental problems with global climate change.
“People don’t realize that the hunger and floods they face are part of climate change,” said Cicilly Atong, 23, another participant. “I want them to understand what’s happening.”

Atong and her peers are pushing for more awareness campaigns in schools and universities to educate young people about climate science and solutions.

But organizing climate strikes in Kampala isn’t easy. Public gatherings are tightly controlled, and protests require prior authorization. Last August, police fired tear gas at demonstrators protesting the detention of opposition lawmakers.

“When people see us holding placards, they think it’s political,” Atong said. “They say, ‘You’ll get arrested.’”

Even so, the young activists obtained police approval for their march this time, said Hilda Flavia Nakabuye, 22, one of the main organizers. “People understand what’s happening to the climate,” she said, “but they’re afraid to speak out.”

Taking Their Demands to Parliament

During the strike, the group delivered a petition to Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga, urging stronger enforcement of environmental laws — including the long-ignored plastic bag ban — and renewed efforts to restore Uganda’s forests.

“She read our demands and promised to support us,” said 14-year-old Leah Namugerwa, one of the youngest organizers. “That’s a huge victory for us.”

Inspired by Greta, Rooted in Uganda

Both Nakabuye and Namugerwa have been striking every Friday since early this year, inspired by Greta Thunberg’s global call to action.
“It’s hard,” Namugerwa admitted. “People tell me, ‘Why aren’t you in school?’ But they don’t realize that climate change is already keeping children out of school — through floods, droughts, and hunger.”

Nakabuye, a university student, recalled a lecturer telling her that climate change was “God’s plan.” But she and her peers refuse to accept inaction.

Although Uganda’s carbon emissions are among the lowest in the world — 37 times below the global average, according to World Bank data, activists insist that the country must still pursue sustainable growth and climate adaptation.

“We want countries most responsible for the crisis to help those that can’t afford the cost of adapting,” said Sadrach Nirere, 24, coordinator of Fridays for Future Uganda.

A Greener Vision for the Future

As Uganda’s economy grows, Nirere hopes the youth-led movement will steer the country toward a cleaner, more sustainable future. “We want to show people that you can live sustainably — through what you eat, how you use water, and how you manage resources,” he said.

Women have become especially active in Uganda’s environmental movement. Across rural areas, women-led initiatives are preserving traditional seeds, promoting clean energy, and protecting biodiversity.
Because women often shoulder the responsibility of farming and caring for families, they are among the most affected by droughts, floods, and food shortages caused by climate change.

With one of the world’s youngest populations, Uganda’s youth believe their voices can drive real transformation.
“Young people are passionate and quick to act,” said Atong. “We want to build a future where we can thrive — and where the planet can too.”