LocationsWhy Uganda’s recognition for leadership in Biodiversity Conservation is a win for planet, people and prosperity
October 15, 2025
A photo of Sacred Ibis birds in their natural habitat at River Semuliki in western Uganda
In December 2022, Uganda alongside other countries globally agreed to work towards reversing biodiversity loss, with the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). This landmark agreement set out 23 ambitious targets to be achieved by 2030, aiming to halt and reverse biodiversity decline, restore ecosystems, and ensure equitable benefit-sharing from genetic resources.
Soon afterwards, the Government of Uganda elaborated a set of measures seeking to support its commitments under the GBF. Specifically in 2023, the National Environment and Management Authority (NEMA), with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) outlined a Uganda specific roadmap for the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The roadmap sought to enable ministries, departments and agencies, civil society, private sector, academia, indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs), and media, together with development partners; to participate in delivering the targets set, with ambitious innovative mechanisms to mobilize resources and increase investments towards biodiversity conservation; and transforming the lives of Ugandans to reduce poverty for better wellbeing. This innovative work is being implemented as part of the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN). An initiative seeking to align national policies, budgets, and financial systems with the GBF’s vision. BIOFIN presented a timely driver to mainstream biodiversity into the heart of development planning and public finance in Uganda.
Dr. Barirega Akankwasah; Executive Director – National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) signs Uganda’s roadmap for the implementation of the GBF.
At the heart of implementation of Uganda’s roadmap for the GBF is strengthening solidarity through a whole of society and a whole of government participation in the implementation of various components of the GBF. Meanwhile the mobilized financing is being applied to reverse biodiversity decline, restore ecosystems, and ensure equitable benefit-sharing from genetic resources. The roadmap presents strategic alignment with Uganda’s long-term development plan, the Vision 2040’s ambition, to increase the forest cover as a percentage of total land area to 25% and wetlands to 13%. It also responds to Uganda’s Ten-Year Action Plan for Restoration of the Environment and Natural Resources (2021 – 2031) and specific targets under the National Development Plan IV.
A photo showcasing forest cover at Mountain Elgon National Park in eastern Uganda
Thus far, ongoing mobilization of financing remains an integral process in implementation of the National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan (NBSAP III) and in this regard the National Biodiversity Finance Plan (NBFP) was revised and aligned to NBSAPIII. Demonstrating Uganda’s commitment to integrating financing strategies with biodiversity goals. It is to be appreciated that this remains critical considering that Uganda has one of the richest biodiversity concentrations globally. Uganda is home to nearly 19,000 species of flora and fauna. This includes over 380 species of mammals, over 1,000 species of birds, and a significant number of reptiles, amphibians, and fish.
Several GBF targets (e.g., Targets 2, 3, 8, 10, and 11) emphasize the role of nature-based solutions in climate mitigation and adaptation. BIOFIN Uganda is working closely with climate actors and the public. It applies the whole of society strategy to ensure that biodiversity management is embedded in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and climate finance strategies.
UNDP’s partnership with the Government of Uganda under BIOFIN advances the recognition that mobilization of financing for NBSAPIII through the strategic objective on financing, promotes innovative and sustainable funding solutions for implementing NBSAPIII. This objective emphasizes Uganda’s commitment to diversifying and strengthening the financial base for biodiversity conservation.
A photo showing rhinos (previously extinct) being conserved at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola district.
During the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025, happening in Abu Dhabi, Uganda received the prestigious award Reverse the Red NBSAP Medal. This distinguished recognition is granted to countries that have demonstrated excellence in the development and delivery of evidence-based NBSAPs. Uganda’s initiatives outlined above are therefore recognized as having demonstrable evidence in delivery of Uganda’s NBSAPIII. Reverse the Red, an initiative formally convened in 2019 by Co-Chairs SSC and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), is committed to supporting strategic, recovery-focused, and evidence-based action for species, and to helping countries deliver on Goal A and Target 4 of the landmark Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. NBSAPs are a key tool in the fight to reverse the trend of species decline, forming the foundation of each country's response to the biodiversity crisis.
The UNDP BIOFIN Uganda Phase II implementation in collaboration with National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has been instrumental in supporting Uganda’s biodiversity conservation journey. It has contributed to:
Identifying and reforming harmful subsidies (Target 18): Through a national study, BIOFIN highlighted incentives that unintentionally degrade biodiversity and proposed reforms to redirect funds toward conservation-friendly alternatives.
Promoting innovative financing mechanisms (Target 19): Uganda is exploring Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES), Ecological Fiscal Transfers (EFTs), and green bonds to mobilize resources for biodiversity. These tools help communities and governments invest in nature while generating economic returns.
Integrating biodiversity into national planning (Target 14): BIOFIN has supported the integration of biodiversity values into Uganda’s National Development Plan and sectoral strategies, ensuring that biodiversity is no longer treated as a siloed issue.
This synergy is critical: protecting wetlands, forests, rangelands, river banks and lakeshore lines, hilly and mountainous areas not only conserves biodiversity but also enhances carbon sequestration, water regulation, and disaster resilience.
Uganda Petroleum Institute – Kigumba; trains communities in tree growing.
UNDP extends its sincere appreciation to the Government of Uganda, Government of Germany, Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), International Union of Conservation and Nature (IUCN) and all contributing partners under the BIOFIN initiative for their generous and sustainable financial support. The collaborative efforts enabled through BIOFIN continues to empower countries like Uganda to develop innovative, inclusive, and impactful financing solutions that safeguard natural ecosystems while promoting economic development.
We congratulate Uganda’s for receiving the prestigious Reverse the Red NBSAP Medal for prioritizing and mainstreaming biodiversity into the government fiscal framework. By mainstreaming biodiversity into finance, policy, and development, and putting people at the heart of implementation demonstrates that transformative change is not only possible it’s already underway.
As we move toward 2030, the message is clear: biodiversity is everyone’s business, and Uganda is leading by example.