Uganda National Climate Change Communications Strategy (2017/2021).

This Uganda National Climate Change Communications Strategy (UNCCCS), a nation-wide multi-sectoral policy document, is deveolped by the Ministry of Water and Environment, Uganda. Overall objective of UNCCCS is to effectively increase and improve the level of awareness, interest, positive attitudes, behaviors and practices towards climate change adaptation and mitigation among the public, vulnerable communities and stakeholders in Uganda in the period of 2017/2021.
To achieve the Overall Objective, Specific Objectives of UNCCCS are identified. They are: 1. To provide adequate information, education and communication services for effective management of climate change vulnerabilities and risks among the public, vulnerable communities and stakeholders in Uganda by 2021. 2. To increase access and utilization of climate change information, knowledge and learning among members of the public, particularly vulnerable communities and key stakeholders in Uganda by 2021. 3. To establish two-way communication mechanisms that are appropriate in terms of mode, channels, and language that is locally friendly at community, local and national level to benefit the public, vulnerable communities and stakeholders in Uganda by 2021. 4. To provide appropriate, relevant and accurate information, content and materials for diverse audiences on climate change among the public, vulnerable communities and stakeholders in Uganda by 2021. 5. To enhance the capacity, competences and skills of stakeholders in Uganda in climate change communication by 2021. 6. To effectively build collaborations, partnerships and coordination mechanisms for informing, educating and communicating about climate change adaptation and mitigation issues at community, district and national levels by 2021. The underlying communication focus of all the key players is to create awareness; behavioral change; information and knowledge; practice; and participation and action. Overall Desired Outcomes (Key Issues and Behaviors, Attitudes, and Practices) include: • Highly motivated target audience that is aware, interested, with positive attitudes, better behaviors, good practices and willing to comply to government concerns about climate change adaptation and mitigation. • The public, vulnerable communities and stakeholders motivated and desiring to take action • Target audiences easily accessing, utilizing and sharing of climate information and products • Better decision making and improved practices among policy makers, local governments, farmers, and other end users • Proper feedback and learning among audiences • Competent and trained communicators that reach out to end users • Strong institutional communication systems that are transparent, accountable and demandand solution-driven.
As for the Governance, the overall responsibility to coordinate the UNCCCS falls under MWE and respective departments of local governments. At local government level the Natural Resources Department will be the focal point. The focal point will ensure creation of proper synergies and mechanisms in implementing the strategy.