How can open mapping transform the way local governments respond to disasters, plan for the future, and empower their communities? Join me as I share firsthand experiences from Namisindwa District, Uganda, where I serve as an IT Officer using GIS data to drive strategic decisions and improve service delivery.

I’ll take you on a journey through the frontline challenges of mapping climate-induced disasters—cracks forming in the earth, devastating floods, and winds that have uprooted crops, displaced families, and forced community relocations. Using powerful open-source tools like JOSM, QGIS, KoboToolbox, and Mapbox, we gather vital data, visualize it in intuitive ways, and turn it into actionable insights that save lives and strengthen resilience.

But this story is about more than just technology—it’s about people. I’ll share how we engage youth through digital education and GIS training in rural schools, building a new generation of mappers and problem-solvers. This community-driven approach fosters ownership and sustainability.

I’m excited to connect with fellow mappers, government officials, NGOs, and tech innovators who share a passion for harnessing open data to tackle complex challenges. Together, we can build stronger partnerships that expand these solutions across Africa and beyond.