After volunteering with several non-profit organizations, Destin Sempijja steadily built a reputation as a passionate community worker and a rising leader in environmental advocacy. His early grassroots involvement allowed him to gain valuable experience in community mobilization and sharpen his leadership skills. Through this work, he inspired many young people across Uganda to take an active interest in shaping solutions for their own communities. He later joined the Youth SDGs Fellowship, organized by the Youth Achievers Forum Africa at the Labour College of East Africa, where he successfully completed a short course in United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) training and mentorship majoring in SDG 13 (Climate Action). This opportunity exposed him to global frameworks for sustainable development and strengthened his ability to translate international concepts into local action.
With his enthusiasm for the environment, Destin began implementing school- and community-based initiatives aimed at raising awareness about environmental degradation and climate change. Together with his team, he directly sensitized more than 7,000 young people about practical solutions to environmental issues and climate catastrophes. This campaign inspired many young people to join voluntarily, recognizing the importance of trees as a first and easy solution to the climate crisis. As a team, they made a bold pledge to plant at least ten trees every week. This hands-on initiative not only created green spaces but also cultivated a sense of responsibility and stewardship among the youth.
In 2017, Destin expanded his work beyond Uganda when he traveled to Ecuador, South America, and volunteered with Edificar Fundación, a grassroots non-profit organization that was located in Quito Ecuador. While working there, he developed advanced youth leadership skills and had the unique opportunity to immerse himself in a new culture. His time in Ecuador also enabled him to learn the Spanish language, which he now speaks fairly well, further broadening his ability to connect with international networks and advocate across diverse communities.
Destin’s global involvement deepened when, on 10th August 2020, he signed a contract with Climate Science UK to serve as the National Coordinator for Uganda. In this role, he focused on sensitizing young people, particularly university students, about climate protection and sustainability. This experience strengthened his capacity to coordinate large-scale programs and connect with international partners who shared his vision for climate justice.
In 2021, Destin partnered with climate live and the Ugandan chapter of Climate Live to Uganda was born for the very first time. Climate Live is an international movement based in the UK that uses music as a tool to raise awareness of climate change across the world. The event, held at Baptist High School, created a platform for international activists and performers to inspire young people through art and dialogue. Ugandan climate activist Vanessa Nakate was among the distinguished guests and delivered an impactful speech to the students, encouraging them to embrace their voices in the fight against climate change.
Later that same year, on 16th October 2021, he organized Uganda’s second Climate Live Event. Fully funded by Climate 2025, the event attracted wide participation and featured celebrated Ugandan artists such as Babaluku and St. Nellysade, alongside youth climate leaders like Leah Namugerwa. This event further cemented his role as a cultural and social mobilizer who effectively blends arts and advocacy to drive climate action.
On 18th November 2021, Destin attended his first UNFCCC Conference of Parties (COP 26) which was funded by the Climate Action Network Europe to in Glasgow, Scotland. This milestone opened the door to vital networks and allowed him to meet many activists from Fridays for Future MAPA (Most Affected People and Areas). Despite the intense schedule, he also managed to attend the Climate Live London event on 6th November 2021, held at Camden Town and the London Eye, where he was honored to be one of the speakers. This experience elevated his profile as a global voice for youth climate action.
Building on this momentum, on 19th September 2022, Destin travelled to the United States in Atlanta to attend the Pre-COP27 Summit that was organized by the HBCU Green Fund, where he was a speaker at Moore House College as the East African Representative. He was also confirmed by YOUNGO, the UNFCCC’s official youth constituency, as one of the organizers of the Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) Uganda, held on 19th October 2022. Working alongside Juanita Babirye, founder of Girls For Climate Action Uganda, he successfully delivered a youth-led conference that amplified the voices of African youth in climate negotiations.
Destin’s journey later took him to Canada, where he relocated to further his personal and professional development. In Canada, he pursued studies in Electrician and Network Cabling as a Telecom Engineer, expanding his technical skills while staying true to his environmental mission. His ultimate goal has been to establish renewable energy in schools and training programs that can empower communities with clean energy solutions, helping to phase out fossil fuels and accelerate a just transition.
In line with this vision, Destin founded Climate Pulse Canada, a non-profit organization dedicated to uniting global climate justice advocates, frontline defenders, and environmental changemakers. Under this platform, he is spearheading the Toronto Climate Justice Summit 2026, scheduled for 22nd–23rd May 2026 at the S3PACE Business Event Center in Toronto. The summit is set to be one of the largest climate justice gatherings in Canada, convening youth, policymakers, artists, academics, and Indigenous leaders to build collective strategies for climate action. The event has already attracted strong partnerships, including collaborations with the City of Toronto’s #LiveGreen program, York University’s School of Environment, and international movements such as Climate Live and Climate Justice Camp.
Most recently, in 2025, Destin attended the 4th edition of the Climate Justice Camp in Mexico. This camp, which brings together climate activists from across the globe, provided him with the space to share experiences, learn new strategies, and deepen his advocacy for renewable energy solutions. Through this experience, he further strengthened his resolve to push for the elimination of fossil fuel subsidies and to ensure that renewable energy becomes the foundation of a sustainable future.
