John Ssemulema Kasiita is an environmentalist with over five years of experience in international development cooperation, focusing on strengthening the capacity of institutions to plan and implement environmental management interventions of sound community impact. Currently, John works with the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) as a climate change expert to provide policy and technical advice to the Ugandan government regarding effective mobilization of funds to implement projects against climate change. John holds a master’s degree in Environment and Natural Resources Management from Brandenburg University of Technology in Cottbus, Germany. John’s realization that development gains in food and water security, infrastructure, health, education and poverty eradication are at risk of being reversed by climate change, prompted him to align his education and professional practice towards empowering national institutional structures to plan for climate change in order to protect millions of vulnerable lives and the economy from its impacts. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, John pledges to continue working on interventions against climate change and hopes to establish a think tank focused on environmental management and sustainable development.

Last updated: 2018