Kyambogo University Launches Its Climate Financing Hub, With GHERI-UG as a Partner

Uganda has no shortage of good climate ideas. What it often lacks is a clear path from a promising idea to a funded project. On 30 September 2026, Kyambogo University took a concrete step toward closing that gap with the official launch of the KyU Climate Financing Hub, and Green Horizons Environmental Research Initiative Uganda (GHERI-UG) was proud to be there as a partner.

The launch was the centrepiece of the Climate Financing Symposium, organised by the Kyambogo University Environmental Hub. It brought together government leaders, academics, researchers, development partners, civil society, the private sector and students around one practical question: how can Uganda access climate finance and put it to work on locally led solutions?

A launch with national backing

The Hub was officially launched by the Chief Guest, Rtd. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire. His presence sent a clear signal about the weight national leadership places on climate action, and on the role universities can play in Uganda's development agenda. In his remarks, he commended Kyambogo University for taking the lead in linking academic research to climate finance and community resilience.

What the Hub sets out to do

The KyU Climate Financing Hub is designed to connect climate finance with the communities, innovators and institutions that need it most. It is expected to:

• build capacity in climate finance, from proposal development and project design to accessing global climate funds
• connect researchers, innovators, civil society and the private sector with climate finance opportunities
• generate research and evidence to guide climate investment and policy in Uganda
• support bankable, locally led climate adaptation and mitigation projects

Why this matters for Uganda

Uganda is on the front line of climate change. Floods, prolonged droughts, landslides and shifting agricultural seasons already threaten livelihoods and food security. Significant international and domestic climate finance exists, yet many institutions, local governments and community organisations struggle to reach it. Local skills, strong partnerships and investment-ready projects are what turn available funding into results on the ground. That is exactly the gap the Hub is built to fill.

Inside the symposium

• The official launch of the KyU Climate Financing Hub by the Chief Guest.
• Presentations and panel discussions on climate finance mechanisms, green investment, and how academia, civil society and the private sector can mobilise resources for climate action.
• Networking and partnership-building among universities, government agencies, development partners, civil society organisations and young climate innovators.
• A strong focus on students and youth: the next generation of climate finance professionals, researchers and entrepreneurs.

GHERI-UG's role

As a partner, GHERI-UG contributed to the symposium's discussions on linking research, innovation and community action to climate finance. For us, the day was also a continuation. Just two weeks earlier, Kyambogo University hosted our National Sustainability Symposium on World Ozone Day, and this launch gives our growing collaboration a new purpose.

The Hub's mission lines up closely with our own programme work, and we look forward to developing investment-ready projects with it in:

• urban flood resilience
• agroforestry and sustainable land management
• waste management and sanitation
• sustainable cooling

A word from our Executive Director

“Climate finance is the bridge between good ideas and real impact on the ground. We congratulate Kyambogo University and its Environmental Hub on this important milestone, and we thank Rtd. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire for officially launching the Hub. GHERI Uganda is proud to be a partner, and we are ready to work with the Hub to turn research and community solutions into fundable climate projects for Uganda.”

Looking ahead

We thank the Kyambogo University Environmental Hub for organising the symposium, Rtd. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire for launching the Hub, and every partner and participant who made the day a success. From here, GHERI-UG will:

• deepen our partnership with the KyU Climate Financing Hub
• contribute research and community insight to its work
• pursue joint opportunities to mobilise climate finance for resilient, sustainable communities across Uganda

Together, we can turn climate commitments into climate action.