Mengo Senior School and St. Mary's Vocational School Kyamuhunga are the big winners from the 2024 edition of the Green Schools Initiative.

In its second edition, the initiative is implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Vision Group, with funding from the Embassy of Sweden in Kampala. The competition has two pathways: a school–level climate innovations challenge and regional debates culminating in the national finals.

St. Mary’s Vocational School Kyamuhunga was the overall winner of the innovation pathway, taking home twelve million Ugandan shillings. Maryhill High School and Iganga Secondary School came second and third, respectively, taking home ten million shillings and 7.5 million shillings.

On the debate front, Mengo Senior School beat off tight competition from Soroti Secondary School to win the debate championship. Mengo Senior School took home shillings ten million, while Soroti Secondary School bagged shillings 7.5 million.

Seeta High School came in third, while Nabisunsa Girls' Secondary School finished fourth. Both third and fourth place were awarded five million shillings.

Youth the future of greener Uganda

The Green Schools Initiative aims to raise students' awareness of environmental climate change and challenge schools and students to devise green solutions to Uganda's environmental challenges.

At the debate grand finale at Makerere University on August 28^th, Antonio Querido, FAO Representative in Uganda said youth are the hope for a greener and more sustainable Uganda.

‘The youth and particularly school learners represent a unique demographic structure full of energy, creativity and potential. In Uganda, this category is also majority of the population. The future of this nation belongs to the young people,’ he said.

‘We have an obligation to pass on the mantle to a generation that is well-informed and conscious of the impacts of human activities on the environment. It's important to be aware of the negative repercussions that the environment presents when mismanaged.’

Students and teachers from thirty schools from across ten regions in Uganda gathered to witness the final debate.

Alfred Okot Okidi, the Permanent Secretary at Uganda’s Ministry of Water and Environment, praised FAO and its partners for empowering the youth to appreciate climate science and explore innovative solutions to a greener world.

‘By engaging your minds with climate change mitigation and adaptation, we are not only equipping you with the knowledge and skills to address the challenges but also nurturing a generation of environmentally conscious leaders who will steer our nation towards a sustainable future,’ he said.

‘Our schools are not just places of learning; they are incubators of ideas and solutions.’

Adam Kahsai-Rudebeck, the Deputy Head of Mission and Head of Cooperation at the Embassy of Sweden in Kampala, emphasized that climate change could derail Uganda’s economic gains if not addressed.

‘The challenges caused by climate change and environmental degradation are obvious in Uganda. He said that incidents of flooding, landslides, waterborne diseases, climate-induced pandemics, crop failure, prolonged droughts and other related issues are becoming common.

‘This is why Sweden supports several initiatives in Uganda to increase sustainable economic growth, sustainable use of natural resources and ecosystem services, increase forest protection, create resilience to climate change, increase access to fossil-free energy and higher energy efficiency.’

Best debaters

Mengo Senior School’s Arnold Asimwe was named the best male debater for his articulate and persuasive debating style. At the same time, Fortunate Angel Jamel of Tororo Girls’ School was recognized as the best female debater.

Don Wanyama, Vision Group's Chief Executive Officer, explained that the initiative was designed to create awareness and sensitize the public on climate change adaptation and mitigation measures through the school system.

‘From the time we started implementation two years ago, this two-track project has directly impacted over 220,000 learners and teachers in the 130 beneficiary secondary schools across the country,’ he said.

After the finale, Querido hosted a reception at the FAO Representation Office in Kampala. Students and teachers from the schools that made the finals were treated to nutritious food and drink.