Join us as we highlight the experiences and contributions of communities in the Global South
Subscribe
Click here
JET Voices — Just Energy Transition podcast cover

The risks climate activists face – Hilda Flavia Nakabuye

Hosted by: Andani
June 8, 2026
Subscribe
Listen also on:
Spotify
Youtube
Amazon
Apple posdcasts
Tags:

Timeline

  • 00:00 Introducing Hilda Flavia Nakabuye: "This is a lioness"
  • 02:45 Welcome — and meet Noble, her one-year-old son
  • 03:45 Motherhood on the front lines: what changes, what doesn't
  • 06:38 Activism in Uganda's repressed civic space: the law vs. practice
  • 09:22 First arrest: a 100-person climate strike in Kampala, five hours of questioning
  • 12:42 "Who is funding you?" — the interrogation question that never stops
  • 13:31 The Gaba landing site arrest on Lake Victoria; her young siblings detained too
  • 16:46 Her father's question: "Did I send you to school to strike or to study?"
  • 19:32 Stop EACOP: taking the fight to TotalEnergies' investors in Paris
  • 23:40 No ID, visitor's visa, riot police — and the MEP who intervened
  • 27:10 Actions in Berlin (FFF Germany) and New York (outside reinsurer Marsh)
  • 29:18 What a climate action actually looks like: placards, sit-ins, music, petitions
  • 33:43 Arrest after arrest: the family fallout, the unpaid tuition, the loan
  • 39:16 Madrid, the COP, meeting Greta Thunberg — and her father finally coming around
  • 41:13 The origin story: three days of rain, a ruined harvest, "the gods punished us"
  • 45:05 The university dialogue she attended for free food — and the name for what she'd lived
  • 46:42 Why she fights: girls missing school, and a continent that emits ~4% but suffers most
  • 50:22 Closing mission: "I refuse to stay silent"

Summary

Most climate activists wouldn’t dare to march in the streets, let alone get arrested multiple times in the name of justice. Hilda Flavia Nakabuye has done just that and more.

From student protests to international demonstrations in France, Germany, and the United States, her story reveals the extraordinary sacrifices and fierce determination needed to challenge powerful fossil fuel companies.

Discover her grassroots activism strategies, the high-stakes decisions she’s had to make, and how her personal journey is reshaping Africa’s fight against climate injustice.

The Guest: Bio

Meet Hilda Flavia Nakabuye

Hilda Flavia Nakabuye is a Ugandan climate and environmental rights activist and founder of Fridays for Future Uganda, East Africa's largest youth-led climate movement. Her activism spans grassroots organizing in Kampala — including regular Lake Victoria clean-ups — to international stages like COP25, COP27, and the UN General Assembly, where she has pushed for urgent climate justice and greater representation of African voices in the movement.

Climate & Environmental Rights Activist — Founder, Fridays for Future Uganda

Hilda Flavia Nakabuye

Join the Conversation

We welcome your thoughts and comments on this episode! Please remember to keep the discussion respectful and constructive. Offensive language, personal attacks, and inappropriate content are not allowed and will be removed. Let’s create a positive and engaging space for everyone.



Thank you for your cooperation and happy commenting!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Frequently asked questions

We’re happy to answer your questions

Who is Hilda Flavia Nakabuye?
Hilda Flavia Nakabuye is a Ugandan climate and environmental rights activist and the founder of Fridays for Future Uganda. She has spoken at COP25, COP27, and the UN General Assembly, and advocates for African representation in the global climate movement.
Fridays for Future Uganda is East Africa’s largest youth-led climate movement, founded by Hilda Flavia Nakabuye. It organizes weekly climate strikes, school outreach, and community actions including Lake Victoria clean-ups.
Depending on where they organize, activists face arrest, surveillance, intimidation, online harassment, financial hardship, and in the most severe cases physical violence. Risks are consistently higher for activists in the Global South.
Where fossil fuel interests are politically powerful and protest rights are restricted, speaking out carries greater legal and personal risk — one reason amplifying frontline voices matters.
Listen to and share their stories, follow movements like Fridays for Future Uganda, support organizations that fund grassroots organizers, and push institutions in your own country to include Global South voices in climate decisions.

Stories of Energy and Sustainability

{"post_type":"post","s":"","tax_query":[],"posts_per_page":3,"paged":2,"order":"DESC","orderby":"publish_date"}
{"fallback_image":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/blogpost-placeholder3.jpg","hide_excerpt":true}

Join to our Bi-Monthly Advocacy Newsletters

Subscribe to the JET Podcast Newsletter and be at the forefront of the Just Energy Transition movement.

🗣️ Listener Stories: Get inspired by success stories and initiatives from our vibrant community of listeners and advocates.

🎙️ Upcoming Episodes and Events: Stay updated on new episodes, live Q&A sessions, and community events.

📚 Educational Resources: Access curated articles, guides, and recommended readings to deepen your understanding and engagement.

We care about your data in our privacy policy.

JET in social media

Follow us @JETvoices to share your story and inspire others. #JET

Become a Co-Supporter

Become a long-term partner and enjoy special recognition in our episodes. As an ongoing co-supporter, you’ll play a crucial role in our continued success and receive exclusive benefits.

Your application has been successfully submitted. Here's what happens next:
  1. Review: Our team will review your submission and the level of involvement you’ve selected.
  2. We’ll Reach Out: You’ll hear from us shortly to schedule a conversation and explore the best way to partner.
  3. Let’s Collaborate: Together, we’ll define the level of involvement that fits your goals and impact.


 

Have questions? We’re here to help — and we’re excited to connect with you!

OK
Share Your Ideas with The Voice of Just Energy Transition

Thank you for sharing your ideas!
We will carefully read and analyze your suggestions.

Suggest a podcast topic
Share Your Ideas with The Voice of Just Energy Transition

Thank you for sharing your ideas!
We will carefully read and analyze your suggestions.

Suggest a podcast guest
Benefits of being an ongoing co-supporter
  • Exclusive Access: Get early access to content and behind-the-scenes updates, keeping you connected to our creative process.
  • Prominent Recognition: Your name or organization will be prominently featured in our episodes, showcasing your support.
  • Collaborative Opportunities: Engage in special projects and initiatives, allowing for deeper collaboration and influence.
Become co-supporter
One-Time Partner

Thank you for your donation!

Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.