By Elizabeth Ritah Kulume
Climate change is often discussed in conference rooms, policy papers and international negotiations. But for many young Ugandans, it is something they experience every day. It is the farmer struggling with unpredictable rainfall, the entrepreneur searching for affordable clean energy, or the young innovator finding practical ways to protect the environment while earning a living.
Across Uganda and the rest of Africa, young people are proving that they are not just among those most affected by climate change; they are also leading some of the most innovative solutions. This is especially important at a time when nearly 600 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa still lack access to electricity, limiting opportunities for education, healthcare, businesses and economic growth. At the same time, more than 70% of Africa’s population is under the age of 30, making it the youngest continent in the world. With the right support, this generation has the potential to drive meaningful climate action.
The good news is that youth-led climate innovation is already making a difference. In Uganda, ClimaVault Africa is helping smallholder farmers reduce post-harvest losses through solar-powered cold storage and food preservation technologies. The enterprise has already served more than 120,000 customers, saved over 102,000 metric tonnes of food, and created more than 60 green jobs. It is a powerful example of how climate solutions can improve livelihoods while protecting the environment.
Young innovators across the country are also developing solar-powered irrigation systems, waste recycling businesses and clean cooking technologies that reduce dependence on charcoal and firewood. These initiatives are not only tackling environmental challenges but are also creating jobs and new economic opportunities for communities.
Support programmes are helping to expand this impact. Through initiatives backed by UNICEF and the International Labour Organization (ILO), more than 12,000 vulnerable young people, including refugees and young mothers, have gained green and employability skills, while over 1,700 youth-led community innovations have received support. These achievements show what is possible when young people are given the tools and opportunities to succeed.
Moreover, Climate justice, is more than innovation, it is also about ensuring young people have a seat at the table when decisions about their future are being made. In Uganda, young climate leaders are increasingly contributing to discussions on renewable energy, climate adaptation and sustainable development. The Young Voices Power Uganda’s Energy Transition Dialogue 2025 is one example of how youth are helping shape conversations around a cleaner and more inclusive energy future.
Despite this progress, many young innovators still face significant barriers. Limited access to finance, mentorship, technology and markets means that many promising ideas never grow beyond the pilot stage. Without greater investment, Uganda risks missing out on solutions that could strengthen climate resilience while creating jobs.
If Uganda is serious about achieving climate justice, youth-led innovation must move from the sidelines to the centre of climate action. Governments, development partners and the private sector should invest more in green financing, innovation grants, mentorship programmes and policies that enable young entrepreneurs to scale their ideas.
The future of climate action is already being built by young people, for example, in farms, universities, start-ups and communities across the country. Whether it is a solar-powered solution supporting farmers, a recycling initiative reducing waste, or a young advocate influencing climate policy, these efforts prove that young people are not waiting for change to happen any more, they are creating it.
In conclusion, investing in youth-led climate innovation is therefore more than an investment in environmental protection. It is an investment in a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable Uganda.
The write works at Environment Governance Institute (EGI).
