Episodes

  • Episode 28: 'The mosquitoes have adapted, the people have not.'

    Episode 28: 'The mosquitoes have adapted, the people have not.'
    Jul 10 2025
    Where to start with this amazing episode? Clarity, insight and perspective from Dr. John Bosco Isunju, of Makerere University, on the hazards we face as humans in the face of climate change, and the unique challenges that will shape the future of life in Uganda. Dr. John Bosco Isunju brings a formidable depth of knowledge to these subjects, having worked across many areas of public health from environmental pollution, geospatial health, disaster risk reduction, and infection prevention to issues around occupational safety and health, and safe water and sanitation. And many other points in between. Dr. Isunju recently led the Climate change vulnerability and adaptation assessment and development of Uganda's Health National Adaptation Plan. He is a member of the WHO Global Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health. At Makerere University, he is a cluster lead of the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA)’s Nature-Based Solutions cluster for climate change adaptation. He is a member of the Editorial Board for the Makerere University Press. He also serves on the Grants and Research Capacity Building Committee and is the Secretary for the MakSPH Research and Ethics Committee. He is a Focal Person for the Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa, where he also serves on the Board of Management. As always, thanks to all of you for listening - if you'd like to drop us a line please do: climatetalkpod@gmail.com is where you'll find us.
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    35 mins
  • Episode 27: Communities Displaced by Floods and Other Impacts of Climate Change

    Episode 27: Communities Displaced by Floods and Other Impacts of Climate Change
    Jun 26 2025
    This week we're turning our attention back to some of the broader questions around health and climate change. Crispus Mwemaho has a background in health services, and he's co-founder with Ivan Rwomukitomaof the Abayuuti Climate Action Network. He joined me in the studio last week to talk about the work the Abayuuti Climate Action Network does with people who have been displaced by flooding in Uganda. But first, I asked Crispus Mwemaho what inspired him to focus on the ways climate change, climate mobility, and health intersect. You can find out more about the Abayuuti Climate Action Network here: https://www.abayuuti.org/ Kampala Climate Cafe on Instagram: @kampalaclimatecafe And you can find a fascinating article on mental health and climate displacement written by Crispus Mwemaho here: Displaced and Distressed: Uncovering the Mental Impacts of Climate Displacement in Uganda (https://eastandhornofafrica.iom.int/blogs/displaced-and-distressed-uncovering-mental-impacts-climate-displacement-uganda)
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    30 mins
  • Episode 26: What Progress in Protecting Uganda's Environment?

    Episode 26: What Progress in Protecting Uganda's Environment?
    Jun 13 2025
    This is a timely and profound exploration of the strategies, passions and frustrations of environmental activism over a long period of time. Founded in 1983, Joint Energy Environment Projects exists to promote efficient use of natural resources and prevent the destruction of forests. Forty years after its founding, how does the CEO, Ruth Kiwanuka, reflect on her experiences; the progress that has been made; and the challenges that remain? You can hear Ruth Kiwanuka speak about Joint Energy Environment Projects in this video from 2020: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0QUZwRK3ro And you can find out more about the work of JEEP and its partners here: https://jeepfolkecenter.org/about/ As always, thanks for listening, and drop us a line any time: climatetalkpod@gmail.com
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    27 mins
  • Episode 25: Predicting Healthcare Needs, AI and Climate Change

    Episode 25: Predicting Healthcare Needs, AI and Climate Change
    May 30 2025
    How do you prepare for outbreaks of malaria if climate change means that mosquitoes which spread the disease are thriving in areas that were previously off limits? When it comes to public health, climate change makes a tricky situation even more difficult. In this episode Dr Muganzi David Jolly and Dr Ian Clarke discuss how AI might play a role in helpiing Uganda meet this challenge. Dr Muganzi David Jolly is the Health Innovation Hub manager at Clarke International University here in Kampala. Dr Ian Clarke is an Irish-born doctor, entrpreneur, and coffee farmer. In this wide-ranging conversation we touch on many aspects of the healthcare landscape in Uganda, and the idea that climate change can be a driving force for innovation. You can find out more about Clarke International University here: https://ciu.ac.ug/?s5responsiveswitch_wwwihsuacug=0 And you can find a brief profile of Dr Muganzi David Jolly here: https://wayforwardyouth.org/muganzi_david And as always, if you'd like to get in touch, climatetalkpod@gmail.com is where you'll find us.
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    29 mins
  • Episode 24: The Impact of Climate Change on Mental Health

    Episode 24: The Impact of Climate Change on Mental Health
    May 15 2025
    Janet Kantalama Kantana joins Josephine to talk about how we can understand mental health challenges in the age of climate change. We explore how our inner wellbeing is affected when day to day life is disrupted by intense or unpredictable weather events. And we talk about measures we can take - individually and collectively - to make sure we are mentally resilient in those circumstances. Janet Kantalama Kantana is a psychologist and Executive Director of Safe Places Uganda. It's a private facility helping people deal with mental health issues and addiction. You can find out more about Safe Places here: https://safeplacesuganda.com/about-us/
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    24 mins
  • Episode 23: Climate Change and Health Outcomes in Uganda

    Episode 23: Climate Change and Health Outcomes in Uganda
    May 1 2025
    Surges in malaria and other diseases; damage to clinics and other physical infrastructure; decreased access to immunisation and mental health services; illnesses due to increased heat and humidity; declining maternal and child health outcomes. These are just some of the health related impacts of climate change. In the first in a series of episodes focusing on health, Dr Didacus B. Namanya explains how the government of Uganda monitors these public health impacts, and is working on adaptation strategies for the future. Dr Didacus B. Namanya (MSc., PhD. Public Health) is a geographer and is Focal Point (Climate Change and Health, and GIS) for the Ministry of Health in the Government of Uganda. You can find the Health National Adaptation Plan - which Dr Didacus Namanya talks about - here: https://library.health.go.ug/environmental-health/climate-change/health-national-adaptation-plan-h-nap
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    31 mins
  • Episode 22: A Reminder of the Big Picture

    Episode 22: A Reminder of the Big Picture
    Apr 17 2025
    Over the past few weeks we've been exploring fluctuations in the price of food and other commodities like coffee and cocoa. In this episode we're taking a step back and revisiting the causes of climate change, the need for adaptation, and the importance of integrated policy approaches from government. Our guest is Anthony Kagoro, who is a Climate Change Specialist at the Food and Agriculture Organization in Uganda.
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    27 mins
  • Episode 21: Food Prices, Farming and Climate Change Explained

    Episode 21: Food Prices, Farming and Climate Change Explained
    Apr 5 2025
    Tracing the connections between the price of the food you put on your table, global commodity markets, local conditions and climate change is incredibly complex. Today we have probably Uganda's most important expert in the field joing us. Professor Bernard Bashaasha is Professor of Agricultural and Development Economics at Makerere University College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences‬. He has many years of experience analysing agriculture in Uganda and what makes it tick. And he shares his understandings with us in this episode.
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    27 mins