On 5th September 2025, Caring Haven Uganda, in partnership with UNICEF, the Government of Uganda, and Joining Forces—a coalition of seven international child-led organizations—hosted a landmark event: the National Children’s Dialogue on Climate. The event took place at the UNICEF Uganda Head Office in Kampala, bringing together over 90 child delegates from across Uganda, along with key stakeholders from government, parliament, academia, and civil society. The theme of the dialogue, “My Right, My Climate: Child Responsive Climate Action in Africa”, set the stage for a powerful conversation about the urgent need for children’s voices in climate action.
The event was truly child-led from start to finish. As the audience of mostly primary and secondary school children filled the seats, a five-year-old disc jockey confidently took his place at the sound system, followed by two 13-year-old moderators. The children ran the event, showing their peers and adults alike that they are not just the future of climate action—they are its present. The adults only took over during an intergenerational panel discussion, where they responded to questions about what they are doing to support children in combating climate change, and how they could do more to support these efforts.
Luke Siduda, a member of the Technical Working Group of the Joining Forces Coalition, emphasized that creating space for children to voice their concerns is not just about inclusion—it is about protection. “Creating the opportunity to hear children’s voices is part of child protection,” Siduda said.
While not every child could attend the dialogue in person, their voices were carried in a powerful declaration and call to action, developed by the delegates. This eight-page document, which will be presented at the Africa Children’s Climate Summit in Ethiopia later in September 2025, highlights the severe impacts of climate change on children in Uganda and outlines recommendations aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The declaration also proposes actionable steps for mitigating climate change at the household, community, and national levels, ensuring that children’s input shapes the future of climate action in Uganda.
One of the standout voices was Clara Amutun, a young participant who passionately shared her perspective on how climate change is already affecting her and her peers. For Clara and many others, the dialogue was not just an opportunity to speak, but a platform to demand the changes needed to secure a safer, more sustainable future.
The declaration, and the youth-driven climate actions it promotes, are testament to the commitment of young climate ambassadors like Talia, a 13-year-old from Kampala, who launched a nationwide campaign in April 2025 to plant one million trees. Talia has already mobilized her peers to plant 110,000 fruit and indigenous trees, showing how even the smallest actions can spark a national movement.
Talia spoke passionately during the dialogue: “Children don’t have money…what we have are voices, energy, songs, and dreams. But if we unite, we can avoid being the sheep that does not listen and ends up in the cooking pot.”
Other young climate champions included Presley, an 18-year-old who leads discussions on climate-related issues in his school’s debate club, and Lyka, a 10-year-old who uses poetry to raise awareness about environmental destruction and inspire others to protect nature.
At the end of the dialogue, Anastasia Nalumuli, Senior Climate Change Specialist at the Ministry of Water and Environment, delivered the closing remarks. She emphasized the government’s commitment to working alongside all stakeholders to ensure that children’s climate action continues to grow across the country. Nalumuli’s words reflected the overarching theme of the event, as seen in the motto written on the wall behind her: “A Future, For Every Child”.
The National Children’s Dialogue on Climate was a powerful reminder that children are not just the leaders of tomorrow—they are leaders today. Their voices, energy, and ideas will shape the future of climate action in Uganda and beyond. Through initiatives like this, Caring Haven Uganda is proud to be part of a growing movement that places children at the center of climate action, ensuring that their rights are protected, and their voices heard.