Uganda's Children on the Frontline of Extreme Weather

Children in Uganda are increasingly vulnerable to the devastating consequences of extreme weather conditions. The rainy season, once a time of muddy playgrounds and heavy showers, has become a period of fear, uncertainty, and disruption for many. Floods have swept through communities, submerging homes, destroying schools, displacing families, and leaving children struggling to cope. From Ntoroko, Kasese, and Butaleja to communities along Lake Victoria, children are bearing the burden of climate-related disasters.

According to UNICEF's Uganda Humanitarian Situation Report, approximately 413,756 people were affected by hydrometeorological hazards across 31 districts in 2024, with children accounting for 35 per cent. This translates to around 144,814 children affected by extreme weather-related hazards. The International Organization for Migration reported that 46,457 people were affected by floods, landslides, and other weather-related hazards in May 2024, with children below 18 accounting for 33 per cent of those affected.

In August 2024, severe flooding in Ntoroko District affected 19,098 people, including 2,725 children. Homes, sanitation facilities, and water sources were destroyed, leaving families exposed to unsafe living conditions and increasing the risk of disease outbreaks. Dativa Nuwashaba, Branch Manager of the Uganda Red Cross Society's Entebbe Branch, emphasized that the impact of extreme weather on children deserves particular attention due to their vulnerability extending beyond the immediate destruction caused by floods.

Children living in affected communities face numerous challenges, including interrupted learning, loss of educational materials, and forced relocation to alternative schools. The health implications are equally concerning, with floodwaters contaminating drinking water sources and increasing children's exposure to diarrhoeal diseases, cholera, and other infections. Displacement also exposes children to protection risks, psychological distress, malnutrition, and uncertainty about their future.

Nuwashaba noted that repeated flooding threatens livelihoods, particularly fishing, farming, and small-scale businesses, around Lake Victoria and other flood-prone areas. When parents lose their sources of income, children often suffer through reduced meals, interrupted education, and limited access to healthcare. The crisis requires more than emergency food and shelter assistance, with communities needing effective early-warning systems, safe evacuation centres, climate-resilient schools, and clean water and sanitation facilities.

The Uganda Red Cross Society, government institutions, humanitarian organizations, and communities all have a role to play in strengthening disaster preparedness and protecting vulnerable populations. Nuwashaba stressed that children should not have to choose between their safety and their education every time heavy rains arrive. Protecting Uganda's children from the effects of extreme weather is not simply an emergency response priority but an investment in the country's future.

The issue requires a comprehensive approach, with a focus on building resilience and providing support to affected communities. By working together, stakeholders can help mitigate the impact of extreme weather on children and ensure that they have access to education, healthcare, and a safe and secure environment. This will require sustained efforts and commitment from all parties involved to address the root causes of vulnerability and build a more resilient future for Uganda's children.

Key points

• Children in Uganda are disproportionately affected by extreme weather conditions, with 144,814 children affected by weather-related hazards in 2024.
• The impact of extreme weather on children extends beyond immediate destruction, with long-term consequences for their education, health, and well-being.
• A comprehensive approach is needed to address the issue, including effective early-warning systems, climate-resilient schools, and clean water and sanitation facilities.