Teso leaders step up environmental conservation, food security efforts
Soroti City East Division Mayor Abdul Latif lamented the destruction of trees that once provided extensive cover across the city, recalling forests of mango, eucalyptus, mvule and guava trees.
Tree planting exercise during the Green Action Week in Soroti City on October 10, 2026, at Soroti Demonstration Primary School. (Credit: Rhyman Agaba)
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The Soroti city and other district leaders from the Teso region have embarked on tree-planting efforts aimed at boosting food security while also conserving the environment.
Representing the Soroti Resident City Commissioner (RCC), Sam Okirinyi encouraged pupils and community members to participate in the tree-planting exercise and environmental conservation.
"Today we are turning our commitment to environmental protection into action by launching tree planting in our communities," Okirinyi declared.
He made these remarks on October 10, 2026, at Soroti Demonstration Primary School as part of the Green Action Week, which was spearheaded by PELUM Uganda.
Soroti Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Hajji Imran Muluga commended PELUM Uganda and its partners for supporting the tree planting initiative.
The area Bishop of the Church of Uganda urged PELUM Uganda to provide more tree seedlings to support the diocese in its tree planting activities across the 11 archdeaconries in Teso.
The Bishop's message was delivered by Emmanuel Ouko, the Soroti agribusiness manager, during the Green Action Week, which is celebrated globally.
PELUM Uganda representative Herbert Opus said 350 fruit and timber seedlings were planted at the school, while another 300 seedlings were planted at Princess Diana Memorial Health Centre IV and another 350 at Fr. Hilda Primary School.
Opus noted that PELUM Uganda works with 75 organisations across Uganda to strengthen capacity in agricology.
Leades embracing Tree planting exercise during the Green Action Week in Soroti City. (Credit: Rhyman Agaba)
Soroti City East Division Mayor Abdul Latif expressed concerns over the destruction of trees, which were providing tree cover around the city.
He said the trees included eucalyptus, Mivule and mango trees.
"This was a city surrounded by forests," he recalled.
He said there was a mini forest which started from Mbale Road and it was majorly of mango trees.
"And they were about ten lines. Those people who grew up in this city can remember that," he explained.
The collection of trees, he recalls, also consisted of guavas which they enjoyed eating as little children.
"There were many trees, some of which had been planted centuries ago during the era of Semei Kakungulu," he stated.
"These people could think ahead of their time to have trees here. But it is you, the modern people, who have instead cut down the trees," the divisional mayor said with concern.
He said it's unfortunate that the trees cut down are not being replaced.
His counterpart, Soroti City West Division mayor John Enomu, said his division has allocated funds to support the tree-planting and the establishment of tree farms.
Meanwhile, Soroti City's environment officer, Francis Ediau, urged institutions that received the seedlings to ensure that they are properly maintained.