By Dorcus Kimono
The Equal Opportunities Commission has launched a two-day training for local leaders in the Bugisu sub-region to strengthen responses to climate change, with a focus on inclusion and community-led solutions.
The workshop brings together district and parish leaders to examine how climate action can better address the needs of vulnerable groups, including women, youth, children, older persons and persons with disabilities.
Opening the session, Senior Compliance and Enforcement Officer Nagimat Nalwadda called for climate interventions that put communities at the centre. She urged leaders to use local knowledge, strengthen participation and ensure no group is left out.
Education and Training Officer John Peter Sasaga challenged leaders to move beyond policy and put equal opportunity principles into practice. He raised concerns that some groups, particularly older persons, are being left out of programmes such as the Parish Development Model, and called for deliberate affirmative action in planning and resource allocation.
Discussions during the training highlighted how climate change is already affecting vulnerable populations, with women facing food insecurity and children exposed to health risks.
Participants explored practical responses including climate-smart agriculture, diversified livelihoods, early warning systems and community planning linked to local budgets.
Resource person Chelwot Aramathan said climate change is already disrupting livelihoods across the country and called for targeted support to affected communities.
He urged leaders to prioritise vulnerable groups, ring-fence climate funds, strengthen response systems and improve data on affected households.
Aramathan also called for transparency and participatory budgeting to ensure resources reach communities.
The Commission said the training is part of ongoing efforts to support local governments in delivering inclusive development and strengthening resilience to climate shocks.
