UN 
Wednesday morning in Kampala, government officials confirmed that more than 1.2 million Ugandans are experiencing acute food insecurity as the country enters the height of the dry season. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) reported that cereal prices in central Uganda have surged by 38% compared to May, placing basic nutrition out of reach for many rural households. The drought, exacerbated by erratic rainfall since April, is putting SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) targets further out of reach for 2026, as humanitarian organizations scramble to scale up emergency support.
Meanwhile, in Washington, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday authorizing oil and gas exploration in sections of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and Bears Ears National Monument. The order effectively reverses protection for over 4 million hectares of land, previously categorized as endangered habitat. Conservation groups, including the World Wildlife Fund, called the move “a direct threat to SDG 15 (Life on Land) and a setback for global biodiversity commitments.”
Across the Atlantic, the UK Treasury confirmed late Tuesday that it will halve its bilateral rainforest conservation aid to Brazil, Indonesia, and the Congo Basin, redirecting £240 million away from existing projects over the next year. The cut comes amid heated debate in Parliament about the country’s fiscal priorities and has already prompted warnings from the Rainforest Foundation UK, which says the loss of funding jeopardizes efforts to prevent 3.5 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.
With the UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development convening this week in New York, advocates are urging donor governments to avoid further cuts that could undermine progress on SDG 13, 15, and 2. As temperatures in Kampala approach 33°C and food queues lengthen each afternoon, the cascading impacts of climate policy decisions in Washington and London are being felt most urgently in communities thousands of kilometers away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Uganda facing a hunger crisis in 2024?
Uganda is experiencing a severe hunger crisis due to drought, erratic rainfall since April, and a 38% rise in cereal prices, making basic nutrition unaffordable for many rural households.
How many Ugandans are affected by acute food insecurity?
Over 1.2 million Ugandans are experiencing acute food insecurity as of Wednesday morning in Kampala.
What changes did the US make to protected land under President Trump?
President Donald Trump signed an executive order opening over 4 million hectares of previously protected land, including parts of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and Bears Ears National Monument, for oil and gas exploration.
How much rainforest aid is the UK cutting and where was it going?
The UK Treasury is halving its bilateral rainforest conservation aid, redirecting £240 million away from Brazil, Indonesia, and the Congo Basin over the next year.
What are the environmental risks of cutting rainforest aid and opening protected US land?
Cutting rainforest aid could jeopardize efforts to prevent 3.5 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, while opening protected US land threatens global biodiversity commitments and progress on SDG 15 (Life on Land).
