Africa has role in mitigation of climate change effects: Museveni

Entebbe, Uganda | Xinhua | President Yoweri Museveni said on Monday that while the developed world must reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Africa should play its part in stopping the destruction of forests and wetlands, which has contributed to adverse climate change effects.

Museveni told reporters at State House Entebbe, 40 km south of the Ugandan capital of Kampala, that African countries need to restore the wetlands and forests that have been destroyed.

The Ugandan leader has been critical of the destruction of wetlands and forests in the East African country to build industries and human settlements. The Ugandan government is embarking on the uphill task of evicting people and industries that have reclaimed swamps.

The president, who addressed a wide range of issues, also said the developed world should help Africa with resources to restore the destroyed environment.

Museveni’s comment comes as world leaders and environmentalists meet at a UN conference on climate change held in the Egyptian coastal city of Sharm El-Sheikh. The meeting, also referred to as the 27th session of the Conference of Parties (COP27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, kicked off on Sunday as the world seeks possible solutions to climate change challenges.