NAIROBI-
Uganda has taken a front-row seat in shaping the future of environmental conservation and climate financing within the Congo Basin.
A high-level meeting of the Council of Ministers for the Congo Basin Climate Commission (CBCC) and the Blue Fund for the Congo Basin is currently underway at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Nairobi.
The deliberations are part of the critical buildup to the Fourth Summit of Heads of State, scheduled for Tuesday, May 12.
The Minister of State for Environment, Hon. Beatrice Anywar Atim, is expected to represent His Excellency President Yoweri Museveni at the upcoming summit.
During the technical sessions held today, the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Water and Environment, Dr. Alfred Okot Okidi, represented the country, ensuring Uganda’s strategic interests are aligned with the Commission’s ambitious goals.
New Governance Structures
The Commission is seeking to streamline its operations by proposing six new governance structures. These units, aimed at enhancing transparency and regional cooperation, will be presented to the Heads of State on Tuesday for formal adoption.
In a move to ensure the proposed frameworks are robust, Dr. Okidi raised several key considerations during the Council meeting.
He emphasized the need for "further synthesis" by focal technical officers before the structures are fully adopted.
"There is a need for a deeper technical review to ensure these structures are practical and serve the intended purpose of the Blue Fund," Dr. Okidi noted.
His concerns were formally acknowledged by the Council and have been deferred to the next session for further debate.
The Blue Fund for the Congo Basin is a major international sub-regional tool aimed at enabling member states to transition from a forest-exploitation economy to a sustainable "blue" economy, focusing on the management of water resources and the fight against climate change.
Uganda takes Leap by earmarking two projects worth 280 Million US dollars.
Uganda has submitted concept papers for the the two flagship projects that have been reviewed by the Commission and approved among the 50 priority projects lined up for consideration at the forthcoming Donors’ Roundtable to be held on May 26, 2026 in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, on the sidelines of the Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank (AfDB).
Mr. David Okurut the Commissioner for Wetlands Management Department in the Ministry of Water and Environment who doubles as the National Focal Point for Uganda, revealed that the two projects are;
1. Strengthening Vital Ecological Corridor of Katonga–Kafu Basin Wetland Ecosystem Project) – covering 32 districts in central and western regions.
2. Lakes Edward and Albert Integrated Water Resources Management Project – covering 27 districts in western and northern regions along George–Edward–Semliki sub-basin and Lake Albert sub-basin.
According to Mr. Okurut, feasibility studies for both proposed projects had already been completed using Government of Uganda funding pending preparation of bankable funding proposals.