Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, Uganda's Minister of Public Service, has called on schoolchildren to lead the nation's environmental restoration efforts through a nationwide tree-planting campaign targeting 200,000 trees in schools. The initiative, launched at Nakanyonyi Senior Secondary School in Mukono District, involves partnerships with Equity Bank and My Tree Initiative. Katumba emphasized the critical role of forests and wetlands in mitigating climate impacts, including rising temperatures and flooding, which he linked to deforestation and wetland encroachment. The campaign, announced during a ceremony at Nakanyonyi Senior Secondary School, saw approximately 3,000 trees planted as part of the effort. Katumba urged the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and National Forestry Authority (NFA) to strengthen enforcement against environmental degradation, despite public resistance. He highlighted the need for collective action, stating, "We need to restore our forests and protect our wetlands if we are to address the effects of environmental degradation." George Wateta, the school’s head teacher, described tree planting as an investment in the future, noting benefits such as fruits, firewood, and shade. He expressed hope that the trees would alleviate classroom heat during dry seasons. "It is about planting hope, protecting the environment, and investing in the future," Wateta said, underscoring the initiative’s dual focus on ecological and educational outcomes. Engineer Sowedi Sewagude of the Ministry of Water and Environment stressed the government’s reliance on partnerships to restore the environment. "Government cannot restore the environment alone. The involvement of partners is essential," he said, urging participants to ensure tree survival through protection and nurturing. Ashraf Dumba, Executive Director of My Tree Initiative, linked the campaign to global climate goals, citing deforestation’s role in warming. He emphasized schools as key platforms for instilling environmental stewardship in youth. Equity Bank Managing Director Gift Shoko outlined the bank’s two-year commitment to plant 200,000 trees in schools, with plans to expand to 100,000 trees in churches and institutions by 2027. The initiative will extend beyond Uganda, aiming to plant 25 million trees across East Africa by 2030. Shoko highlighted schools as "critical drivers" of long-term environmental sustainability, noting their role in shaping youth attitudes toward conservation. The campaign aligns with broader efforts to combat Uganda’s environmental challenges, including a government request for Shs320bn to demarcate wetlands and recent crackdowns on illegal activities like charcoal trafficking. Katumba’s call for action comes amid rising public awareness of climate risks, with Kikuube youth and Ntungamo residents among those directly affected by environmental degradation. Organizers framed the initiative as a multi-pronged approach to environmental restoration, emphasizing community, institutional, and governmental collaboration. By engaging students, the campaign seeks to foster a culture of sustainability, ensuring that future generations prioritize ecological resilience in the face of climate change.
Gen. Edward Katumba Calls on Ugandan Students to Spearhead National Tree-Planting Initiative
Gen. Edward Katumba Calls on Ugandan Students to Spearhead National Tree-Planting Initiative
Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, Uganda's Minister of Public Service, has called on schoolchildren to lead the nation's environmental restoration efforts through a nationwide tree-planting campaign targeting 200,000 trees in schools. The initiative, launched at Nakanyonyi Senior Secondary School in Mukono District, involves partnerships with Equity Bank and My Tree Initiative. Katumba emphasized the critical role of forests and wetlands in mitigating climate impacts, including rising temperatures and flooding, which he linked to deforestation and wetland encroachment. The campaign, announced during a ceremony at Nakanyonyi Senior Secondary School, saw approximately 3,000 trees planted as part of the effort. Katumba urged the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and National Forestry Authority (NFA) to strengthen enforcement against environmental degradation, despite public resistance. He highlighted the need for collective action, stating, "We need to restore our forests and protect our wetlands if we are to address the effects of environmental degradation." George Wateta, the school’s head teacher, described tree planting as an investment in the future, noting benefits such as fruits, firewood, and shade. He expressed hope that the trees would alleviate classroom heat during dry seasons. "It is about planting hope, protecting the environment, and investing in the future," Wateta said, underscoring the initiative’s dual focus on ecological and educational outcomes. Engineer Sowedi Sewagude of the Ministry of Water and Environment stressed the government’s reliance on partnerships to restore the environment. "Government cannot restore the environment alone. The involvement of partners is essential," he said, urging participants to ensure tree survival through protection and nurturing. Ashraf Dumba, Executive Director of My Tree Initiative, linked the campaign to global climate goals, citing deforestation’s role in warming. He emphasized schools as key platforms for instilling environmental stewardship in youth. Equity Bank Managing Director Gift Shoko outlined the bank’s two-year commitment to plant 200,000 trees in schools, with plans to expand to 100,000 trees in churches and institutions by 2027. The initiative will extend beyond Uganda, aiming to plant 25 million trees across East Africa by 2030. Shoko highlighted schools as "critical drivers" of long-term environmental sustainability, noting their role in shaping youth attitudes toward conservation. The campaign aligns with broader efforts to combat Uganda’s environmental challenges, including a government request for Shs320bn to demarcate wetlands and recent crackdowns on illegal activities like charcoal trafficking. Katumba’s call for action comes amid rising public awareness of climate risks, with Kikuube youth and Ntungamo residents among those directly affected by environmental degradation. Organizers framed the initiative as a multi-pronged approach to environmental restoration, emphasizing community, institutional, and governmental collaboration. By engaging students, the campaign seeks to foster a culture of sustainability, ensuring that future generations prioritize ecological resilience in the face of climate change.