Across Africa, environmental issues often struggle to gain traction in policy-making. In Uganda, a unique initiative—the Environment Parliament—appears to be giving citizens a voice. Though it lacks legislative power, the forum brings together activists, academics, and entrepreneurs to hold officials accountable and push for sustainable solutions. One of the attendees, social entrepreneur Martha Akori, turns plastic waste into footwear, highlighting the need for recycling in a country where most of the 600,000 tonnes of annual waste ends up in landfills.

Uganda already has an Environment Police, a Wildlife Court, and other specialized bodies. But despite these efforts, Uganda has struggled with deforestation, corruption, and deadly environmental disasters. Can dialogue lead to real change?