UDB commits Shs 200mln to Uganda’s COP31 climate campaign
The funding will support Uganda’s participation in the global climate summit, strengthen partnerships, mobilise additional financing and promote investment in commercially viable projects aimed at addressing climate change
KAMPALA, November 11, 2026 – Uganda Development Bank [UDB] has committed Shs 200 million to support Uganda’s campaign at the 31st Conference of the Parties [ COP31 ], as the country steps up efforts to attract investment into climate-friendly projects.
The funding will support Uganda’s participation in the global climate summit, strengthen partnerships, mobilise additional financing and promote investment in commercially viable projects aimed at addressing climate change.
UDB Director of Economic Research and Knowledge Management, Francis Mwesigye, announced the commitment during the Pre-COP31 National Forum held recently at Silver Springs Hotel in Kampala.
The forum, convened by the Ministry of Water and Environment, brought together development partners, media, civil society organisations and private sector representatives to discuss Uganda’s priorities ahead of COP31, scheduled to take place in Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9 to 20, 2026.
The conference brings together governments, climate experts, businesses and civil society organisations to discuss measures to address climate change and promote sustainable development.
State Minister for Environment Beatrice Anywar said the engagement was critical in helping Uganda develop a common position on issues it intends to raise during the negotiations.
“Our goal is to agree on a common position and approach that reflects the priorities and aspirations of our people as we respond to the existing threats of climate change. Uganda is an agricultural country, and our farmers need reliable water sources in the face of perennial drought. They also need predictable and reliable weather forecasts,” Anywar said.
She identified seven key areas of focus for Uganda at the summit: loss and damage, mitigation, climate finance, technology transfer, capacity-building, gender and compliance.
Anywar, who will lead Uganda’s delegation to COP31, said the country would push for adequate, predictable and accessible climate financing, particularly grants to support adaptation programmes and the needs of least developed countries.
She also announced that Uganda would coordinate its engagements at the summit through the Uganda Pavilion, which will provide a platform to promote investment opportunities, build partnerships and network with international climate stakeholders.
Mwesigye described UDB’s commitment as a strategic investment in promoting Uganda’s climate priorities and attracting financing for sustainable development.
“UDB has taken deliberate institutional steps to position climate finance as a central pillar of its development financing mandate. A key milestone in this journey has been the establishment of a dedicated Climate Finance Facility [CFF] and Climate Finance Unit, providing the institutional architecture necessary to coordinate, structure and scale the bank’s green financing interventions,” Mwesigye said.
He urged Uganda’s delegation to use the international platform to showcase investment opportunities in the country and connect local projects with development partners and investors.
Mwesigye revealed that UDB had mobilised at least US$ 200 million through its participation in previous COP conferences to capitalise its Climate Finance Facility.
“COP has been one of the key platforms that the bank has used to mobilise this money. Since we started attending COPs, the bank has mobilised not less than US$ 200 million to capitalise this Climate Finance Facility,” he said.
Through the facility, UDB supports the development of bankable climate-related investments, provides technical guidance on financing arrangements and helps businesses assess climate risks and opportunities.
At COP31, the bank plans to host three side events focusing on financing climate-friendly investments in Uganda.
The events will examine how development finance institutions can use market-based financial instruments to translate climate commitments into bankable projects capable of attracting private investment.
Another area of focus will be financing the decarbonisation of the transport sector, particularly electric buses, electric motorcycles and charging infrastructure. The discussions will highlight how investment in cleaner transport can reduce emissions while creating opportunities for local industries, businesses and employment.
The bank also intends to highlight the need for financing institutions worldwide to develop mechanisms for blending different sources of climate finance to support adaptation initiatives, particularly large-scale irrigation infrastructure and water access for individual farmers.
The proposed interventions are aimed at strengthening agricultural resilience, reducing food insecurity and protecting farming communities against extreme climate shocks.
Buy your copy of thecooperator magazine from one of our country-wide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news
