Uganda Churches Join Global Push for Plant-Based Diets

In a Kampala church office, an unexpected alliance is taking shape that could change Uganda's food future for the better.

Catholic leaders and environmental activists met at Our Lady of Fatima Parish to launch a collaboration promoting plant-based diets as a climate solution. The partnership brings together the Laudato Si Comboni Centre Uganda and the Plant-Based Treaty campaign, linking faith communities with a global movement for sustainable food systems.

Moses Kalyango, who leads the Plant-Based Treaty's Uganda chapter, explained the strategy behind working with churches. "We want to push our campaigns through the Church," he said, noting that the treaty collects endorsements from individuals, businesses, and cities to pressure governments into action. The goal is straightforward: shift from animal agriculture to plant-based farming to fight climate change through daily food choices.

The case for change is compelling. Global campaigner Cindy Veltens shared that a single burger requires up to 2,000 liters of fresh water, and more than 73 percent of worldwide deforestation connects to growing animal feed. Beyond environmental impact, she highlighted health benefits, noting that plant-based diets reduce risks of diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension.

What makes this approach powerful is its accessibility. "We all decide what's on our plate every single day," Veltens explained, emphasizing that informed food choices are something everyone can control. Rather than waiting for massive policy shifts, people can contribute to climate solutions at every meal.

The Ripple Effect

The partnership's potential reaches far beyond environmental wins. Rev. Fr. John Kennedy Onoba admitted the training changed his own perspective on food and farming. He now sees fruit trees as triple-threat solutions: they absorb carbon, provide nutrition, and create economic opportunities without being cut down for quick profit.

Catherine Ayinebyona, another campaign leader, connected plant-based farming to food security. She recalled how traditional crop-focused granaries once protected communities from scarcity, a safety net that's largely disappeared. Growing more plant foods could restore that security while addressing another hidden danger: antibiotics and hormones in meat products that contribute to drug resistance.

Fr. Onoba sees opportunities for Uganda's youth and women through plant-based entrepreneurship. Growing and selling fruits and vegetables could provide income while strengthening community health and environmental resilience. The vision is practical: local farmers growing food that feeds families, creates jobs, and protects the climate all at once.

The collaboration shows how faith institutions can mobilize communities around concrete climate action. Churches reach people where they live, worship, and make daily decisions about food. With aggressive fast-food marketing making animal products seem more attractive, religious leaders offer a trusted voice for healthier, more sustainable choices.

Uganda's contribution to this global movement could prove that fighting climate change doesn't require sacrificing nutrition or prosperity but rather reclaiming traditional wisdom about growing and eating food.