Defense Press Unit
The Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MODVA) is taking significant steps toward addressing climate change and environmental security with the development of a Climate Change and Environmental Security Strategy (CCESS), according to the Permanent Secretary of MODVA, Mrs Rossette Byengoma.
The update was shared during a consultative workshop between MODVA and Makerere University, held on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at the Defence Intelligence and Security Headquarters in Mbuya. “The purpose of this consultative workshop is to integrate expertise from university professionals to collaboratively develop a strategy that is both inclusive and comprehensive,” Ms Byengoma said.
She revealed that the strategy is a forward-thinking initiative aimed at mitigating environmental threats that could compromise national security and underscored the importance of environmental security as a critical aspect of national defence. “This strategy will play a key role in advancing sustainable growth and ensuring that the Ministry’s contributions to the future are impactful.”
She expressed satisfaction with the workshop and praised the fruitful collaboration between MODVA and Makerere University, stating that she was glad the workshop was taking place and confident that the university’s expertise would greatly enhance the development of the strategy.
Major General Don Nabasa, Joint Staff Policy and Strategy, who represented the Chief of Joint Staff, acknowledged the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) commitment to safeguarding Uganda’s security across all domains.
He pointed out that while traditional security threats remain a concern, climate change and environmental degradation have emerged as critical non-traditional threats that pose risks to national security, and economic stability, and result in climate-induced migrations.
Maj Gen Nabasa described the initiative as “an important collaboration between academia and the military,” emphasizing the UPDF’s commitment to climate-smart practices, environmentally-smart operations, and improved disaster preparedness and response.
He highlighted that the CCESS is particularly relevant to the UPDF, which operates across land, water, air, and space. The strategy, he noted, will provide a framework to address climate-related threats and ensure that military operations are conducted sustainably while mitigating environmental damage.
Brig Gen David Gonyi, the Chief of Staff – Air Force and chairman of the CCESS technical committee, explained that the strategy will help formalize the military’s interventions and make them more structured for effective implementation.
Brig Gen Gonyi noted that “the CCESS aligns with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Uganda’s Vision 2040,” adding that it will strengthen the UPDF’s longstanding role in environmental conservation and its collaboration with environmental bodies.
Prof Yazidhi Bamutaze from Makerere University praised the strong collaboration with MODVA, calling it “critical in propelling the country’s aspirations forward,” and affirmed their commitment to working with the Ministry and the UPDF to implement the strategy.
The workshop, which focused on developing the CCESS, was attended by senior officers from the MODVA, UPDF, and experts from Makerere University, including Brig Gen Abdul Rugumayo, Brig Gen Johnson Niwamanya, Brig Gen Peter Akankunda, Brig Gen Pande Kajuba, Brig Gen Michael Nyarwa, Brig Gen Peter Nabasa, Senior Officers among others.
