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Summary:

• An 80-year-old former Chief of Protocol in Uganda, Mr. Ashraf Nyorano Mugenyi, voices deep concerns about the adverse effects of climate change, citing personal experiences and urging global leaders to prioritize conservation efforts during the 28th Conference of Parties (COP28) in Dubai.

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Mr. Ashraf Nyorano Mugenyi, an 80-year-old former Chief of Protocol for Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom (BKK) in mid-western Uganda, has expressed deep concern over the relentless impact of climate change. Recalling the past, he describes how he used to cover himself during cold nights for a peaceful sleep, only to contrast it with the present, where he now leaves windows open to combat heat waves.

Mugenyi attributes the noticeable shift in climate and unpredictable weather patterns to the period between 2005 and 2022. Speaking in a special interview with The Black Examiner‘s Busiinge Aggrey, he emphasized the urgency of addressing climate change dangers as global environmental and leadership experts convened for the 28th Conference of Parties (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

From his residence in Butanjwa cell, East Division of Hoima city, Mugenyi also expressed dismay at the apparent lack of concern for conservation among some youth. He shared a distressing incident where his son, without consent, cut down a nearly 70-year-old jackfruit tree to turn it into charcoal.

Fearing the transformation of Uganda into a desert due to a lack of environmental consciousness, Mugenyi criticized both leaders and citizens for prioritizing financial gains over nature. He recalled a time when strict laws governed tree cutting, stressing the need for current leaders to enforce similar regulations.

Mugenyi questioned the degradation of the environment despite increased education, noting that previous generations were more educated in appreciating and preserving nature. He urged those in power to consult the elderly for a better understanding of the past compared to the present.

Addressing the international community, Mugenyi called for the allocation of funds during COP28 in Dubai to raise awareness about conservation before it is too late. He lamented the ongoing encroachment on major forest reserves like Bugoma and Budongo for economic development.

Referring to reports from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) of the United Nations, Mugenyi highlighted that 2023 had been recorded as the warmest year in history. The WMO’s 2020 report had previously identified the 2010–2020 decade as the warmest, warning of the risk of over a million species facing extinction due to climate change effects.

Acknowledging global efforts to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, Mugenyi expressed concern about international conglomerates infiltrating climate change discussions to protect their interests, potentially undermining crucial decisions.