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In a bid to conserve the environment and to lead by example, leaders of Aduku Sub County in Kwania District, have launched a mandatory tree planting campaign.  

Under this initiative, each leader including the LC1 and LCII chairpersons, LC III councillors and the clan leaders will be required to plant at least a minimum of 10 tree seedlings every year. 

Vincent Ogwal, the Aduku Sub County LCIII chairperson, says the bylaw which is aimed at mitigating the impact of climate change if fully embraced, will see the sub-county leaders plant over 15,000 tree seedlings annually. 

“The sub-county council in its sitting of the 7th August, 2023 passed a resolution that will see all LCI and II chairpersons, the sub-county councillors as well as the clan leaders plant a minimum of 10 tree seedlings every year. This recommendation came from the Committee of Production, Marketing, Environment, and Natural Resources and was subsequently made a working document. Hopefully, we expect to plant over 15,000 tree seedlings every year to protect the environment,” he said. 

Patrick James Alele Lubega, the LC III male councilor of Aboko Parish, who doubles as the chairperson for production, marketing, and natural resources for Aduku Sub County, noted that there will be penalties to pay for non-compliance. 

“This is an opportunity for the leaders in this sub-county to lead by example. I want to encourage our leaders to embrace this initiative fully because there is a penalty. We shall expose those who will not comply, in addition to a fine that will be awarded by the Sub County chief and the technical staff,” he told New Vision on Sunday, September 10. 

Tom Abal, the sub-clan chief “Rwot” of the Arak-Agoda clan and in charge of Kwania District, says that the by-law on mandatory tree planting will not only conserve the environment but will go a long way to save the population from natural hazards. 

“The mandatory tree planting by-law made by Aduku sub-county leaders is a very good idea that has come at a time when our people are suffering from the effects of climate change. The initiative will save our people from destruction by hailstorms and strong winds. As the cultural leader, I welcome the idea and I will use this opportunity to sensitize my people about the negative impact of climate change and the mitigation measures,” he said. 

Tree planting at burial ceremonies 

Bonny Ogwal, the Kwania District environment officer, says besides the mandatory tree planting by Aduku Sub County leaders, the district has launched a massive tree planting campaign at burial ceremonies in a bid to have communities contribute towards mitigating the effect of climate change.

“As the district, we target to plant 10,000 trees within a peyear to combat the effects of climate change which have hit the district so hard. Under the initiative dubbed Environment Speaks, Plant A Tree, trees will be planted at all burial places. The number of trees planted will match the years the deceased lived on earth,” Ogwal said in a telephone interview on Sunday. 

“We shall be planting musizi, pines, and umbrella trees matching the years the deceased lived on earth and this will be done to fight against environment degradation as the bereaved families mourn, remember, and recognize the lost ones. I appeal to the public to embrace this initiative and plant more trees to mitigate climate change,” he added. 

Esther Magala, Kwania district forestry officer says under the initiative, they have so far planted over 5,000 trees, “People have welcomed this initiative and it is indeed working for us. Many people are embracing it because planting trees at burials is not only conserving the environment but is also serving as a long-lasting memorial gift and a living tribute to the bereaved families,” Magala told New Vision in a telephone interview on Monday, September 11. 

Jimmy Ouna, the regional manager of Achwa River Ranch, noted that many farmers are still destroying forests for the charcoal business yet it has affected rainfall formation. 

“We are experiencing a lot of difficulties due to human activities. People are destroying forests for charcoal and this is affecting the rainfall formation. I want to encourage our people to embrace aforestation. If you cut a tree, plant more to replace the already cut ones,” he said. 

Geoffrey Alex Ogwal Adyebo, the Kwania District LCV chairman, rallied the public to embrace tree planting to mitigate climate change. He pledged to offer total support to the initiatives by the environment officers. 

Locals speak out 

Locals who spoke to New Vision have welcomed the initiative of mandatory tree planting. Joshua Olomo, a resident of Adyeda in Aduku Town Council, Kwania District says the idea of tree planting at burial is a good one. 

“The mandatory tree planting especially at burials will help us remember the departed relatives and protect the environment,” Olomo said. 

Harriet Akao, a resident of Alany cell in Aduku town council says, “The idea is a unique one and I welcome it. We will include the money for tree seedlings in the burial budget. The initiative should also be extended to other districts in Lango Sub-region,” she said. 

Forest cover dwindles  

Forests have been one of Uganda’s key natural resources contributing two percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) according to the State of Uganda Environment Report carried out by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) in 2008. However, forests are currently facing serious threats with at least 1.2 million hectares of forest cover lost between 1990 and 2005. 

The report shows that the country’s forest cover was at 5,000,000 hectares in 1990 but by 2005, it had reduced to 3.5 million hectares. The Environment watchdogs warn that the country’s environment is in danger and much of its forests will be no more by 2025 if nothing is done.