Environment ministers from about 50 countries will gather in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Monday for a “pre-COP27” climate summit, with rich nations likely to come under pressure to raise spending to combat climate change.

The talks in the DRC’s capital, Kinshasa, are informal but meant to allow various countries and green groups to take stock of political positions ahead of COP27, the United Nations climate gathering of world leaders in Egypt next month.

An opening ceremony will take place in the Congolese parliament building in Kinshasa, followed by discussions on mitigating climate change, and providing funding for countries already damaged by global heating and severe weather events. 

Delegates from about 50 countries are expected to attend the talks, including United States climate envoy John Kerry. 

“The emphasis will certainly be on support from industrialised countries to countries in the south,” a Western diplomat stated.

The last UN climate summit, COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021, reaffirmed the goal, agreed in Paris in 2015, of limiting the rise in the Earth’s average temperature to well below 2.0 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit it to 1.5C.

That goal may already be beyond reach as the Earth’s temperature is already 1.2C higher than before the Industrial Revolution of the 19th century. 

Poorer countries had pushed at Glasgow for a financial mechanism to address losses and damage caused by climate change. 

But wealthier nations, the largest polluters, rejected the call and the participants agreed instead to start a “dialogue” on financial compensation for damages.  

Egypt, which is hosting COP27, has made implementing the pledge to curb global heating the priority of the November summit. 

Poorer countries are again likely to remind their richer counterparts of the need to increase financial support. 

The latter have so far failed to deliver on their promise to provide $100 billion a year to help developing countries limit climate change. 

Demands for climate justice were front and centre of a protest in Kinshasa last month, where young Congolese activists chanted slogans and demanded that world leaders take swift action rather than repeat old promises.

The Congolese government is also expected to drive home the message that it requires funding to protect its vast rainforests, which act as a carbon sink. 

Around 30 billion tonnes of carbon are stored across the Congo Basin, researchers estimated in a study for Nature in 2016. The figure is roughly equivalent to three years of global emissions.

However, the central African nation in July launched an auction for 30 oil and gas blocs, ignoring warnings from environmentalists that exploiting them could harm ecosystems and release vast amounts of heat-trapping gases. 

One of the poorest countries in the world, the DRC argues that drilling for oil and gas could help diversify its economy and benefit the Congolese people. 

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The Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre –UWEC is set to establish regional model satellite wildlife centers across the country.

Speaking on the sidelines of the event at which UWEC was celebrating 70 years of existence, James Musinguzi, Executive Director of the entity, said they have worked with the National Forest Authority which has allocated land to them in urban forest reserves to establish zoos and educate the public on rescuing wildlife in several regions. The regions include Mbale, Gulu, Mbarara, and fort portal.

As the latter celebrated at Sheraton Hotel this week, Diamond Trust Bank sponsored UWECs 70 years’ celebration events with 30 million shillings. Other sponsors were Centenary bank with 5mn and AWF-10mn among others.

Musinguzi thanked the supporters and said: “These contributions will help in ensuring that conservation, and tourism, reach the local person through establishing satellite centers or zoos normally found in urban areas. To be able to target those communities in far areas and make them sustainable,” said Musinguzi.

He added: “A number of wildlife animals have been captured in those areas and concerned residents have to drive all the way to Entebbe to bring them for rehabilitation. We think that for us going to these areas, we shall be doing a good job in terms of conserving wildlife and avoiding human conflicts.

 In addition, Musinguzi noted that children’s conservation centers will be established to educate children about conserving wildlife.

Commenting on this initiative, The Minister of State for Tourism, Martin Magarra, said if the culture of conservation is imparted to young children, they will take on the good practices in the future.

“For instance, when these young students go there and get to understand the importance of conservation at a young age, then we are creating people who will advocate for conservation. In the long run, the challenges of poaching will be prevented,” said Magara

The tourism demand curve has gradually moved upward since records show that UWEC has received 3,000 visitors since 2021.

 Musinguzi said that the journey has had smoke and mirrors since 1952 as an animal orphanage and therefore this journey is worth celebrating.

He remarked that there has been a lot of transformation since 1952 whereby the exhibits of animals have been rebranded, forests, lakes, and above all animal welfare is in good care

Musinguzi invited all Ugandans to join the UWEC team as they are involved in way forward activities after these celebrations. These include; school outreaches, the veterinary camp for dog’s vaccination, the children’s conservation education camp, and the conservation marathon among others.

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It was a display of glitz and glam as the Institute of Corporate Governance of Uganda-ICGU unveiled the winners of the second Corporate Awards 2022.

The event took place at Mestil Hotel Nsambya this week, sponsored by different companies including Diamond Trust Bank, Vision Group, and Grant Thornton ltd, among others.

According to Micheal Mugabi, the President of ICGU, the aim is to build national capacity in corporate governance, maintenance laws of the country, and membership development.

“As the council and stewards of corporate governance; we would like to have legislation in entities as they embrace internationally developed standards of good governance practices. That way we will have leverage in promoting sustainable enterprises,” said Mugabi.

The highlights of this event were the top six companies that won under the different categories that included: SMEs, Large Private Sector, banks, Insurance, Public sector, and NGOs.

Milton Obote foundation emerged as the winner from the SMEs category, Compassion International Company was the winner from the NGO category, and Jubilee Life Insurance emerged as the award winner in the Insurance Category.

The other winners were: Electricity Regulatory Authority emerged the Winner from the Public Sector Category, Stanbic Holdings Limited won from the large private category and NCBA Bank won the award from the Bank Category.

Geoffrey Kihuguru, the Chairman Awards, and Recognition Committee said many enterprises that picked up after the pandemic effects were because they had adhered to good corporate governance practices.

“Great nations are built by great institutions which are managed by people who embrace good corporate practices. It is important to note that this year the institute resolved to introduce a modern trend of organization self-assessments as opposed to expert business assessments.

He noted that over 350 organizations were reached out to, presenting assessment opportunities.

“The rankings indicated the level of implementation of CGP principles but there is still room for improvement,” said Kihuguru.

All distinguished companies that voluntarily participated were assessed on their operations specifically in accountability, transparency, integrity, responsibility, compliance, and excellence. On governance (board processes, board contributions, board independence. Board diversity, environmental, social, Governance-ESG strategy, and the board oversight role).

DTB and several companies that engaged in this initiative were rewarded with certificates of appreciation for embracing and taking part.

However, Mugabi noted that the level of acceptance by companies to be assessed is still very low. He implored entities to come on board next year to gain experience and knowledge of operating better.

 Patrick Ocayire, who spoke on behalf of Parliament and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, commended ICGU for bringing a platform that allows both the public and private sectors to be assessed, benchmarked, and ranked on compliance and adherence to international best practices of corporate governance.

“In this economy, corporate governance plays a big role in turning entities into high-income earners. Records from Uganda’s Success view show that up to 60% of registered companies do not survive their second birthday and this is mainly attributed to poor governance,” said Ocayire.

The annual corporate governance Awards normally present an opportunity for different organizations to be assessed on the best practices of good governance and ensure the sustainability of entity operations in Uganda.

These awards were launched under the theme: “Corporate Governance; Recognizing Adherence to Best Practices.”

Mugabi thanked all the organizations that joined ICGU in support for the operations.

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The State House Anti-Corruption Unit in liaison with Police has arrested ten district officials in Fort Portal, Kabarole and Soroti on allegations of corruption and abuse of office.

Five land officials in Fort Portal and Kabarole district were arrested for allegedly conniving to sell government land at Millane access, along protected boundaries of River Mpanga, to a businessman. The officials approved an application without inspection.

The suspects detained are; the Chairperson Area Land Committee Mr. David Baguma, Senior Physical Planner Mr. Samuel Musana, District Staff Surveyor Mr. Simon Kugonza, Senior Staff Surveyor Kabarole Ministry Zonal Office – Mrs. Sumini Nansubuga and Secretary District Land Board Kabarole Mr. Jessy Bwango.

Additionally, two suspects; Principal Education Officer Mr. Richard Alituha and Head of Finance Mrs. Annet Kirungi have been arrested on allegations of mismanagement of over Shs180 million Capitation Grant for Fort Portal City Schools and Tertiary Institutions for Financial Year 2021/22. Police said two other more suspects are still at large.

In Soroti, three district officials were also arrested on allegations of abuse of office and causing financial loss as a result of inflating the District payroll.

It is alleged that over Shs500 million was paid to ghost workers and ghost pensioners by the officials.

The suspects are; Internal Auditor Mr. Micheal Okello, Human Resource Officer Mr. Charles Oonyu, and Principal Human Resource Officer Mr. Simon Okanya, who has been reported before on several cases for extorting money from pensioners under the pretext that they have been over paid by government.

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