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BUIKWE- The Government, working with partners,  will plant trees in 300,000 schools in the next 12 months.

The trees are to be planted in eastern Uganda as a mitigation measure against climate change.

Presiding over the inaugural planting exercise on Tuesday, April 23, at Najjembe Primary School in Buikwe district, Diana Kagyenyi Mutasingwa, the Minister of State in the Office of the Vice President, said the consequences of deforestation and climate change in Uganda are "impacting not only our environment but also our health, our livelihood, and the future of our children".

She said the school greening programme is, therefore, a timely intervention against deforestation adding: "By planting 300,000 trees in schools, we are not only mitigating the effects of deforestation but also nurturing a sense of environmental responsibility and ensuring that our children take up the stewardship of conservation for the next generation".

Presiding over the inaugural planting exercise on Tuesday, April 23, at Najjembe Primary School in Buikwe district, Diana Kagyenyi Mutasingwa, the Minister of State in the Office of the Vice President, said the consequences of deforestation and climate change in Uganda are "impacting not only our environment but also our health, our livelihood, and the future of our children".

"Through this programme, I hope we will have the opportunity to further environmental awareness, " she said, adding that this will empower students to become agents of change in their communities.  

Enjer Ashiraf, the executive director of My Tree Initiative, which is implementing the planting in the schools, said ABSA had supported them in planting trees in 460 schools across Uganda so far since 2022.

He said the main aim of the programme is to integrate environmental education into the school curriculum, engage students in hands-on tree planting activities, improve students’ diet and educate, empower and support future generations to be champions of our planet.

The latest partnership follows the success of last year’s Schools Greening Programme implemented by his organisation in partnership with ABSA Bank, whose impact included a total of 165,382 trees planted in 160 primary and secondary schools across 5 districts.

He said 81 green clubs were established in schools to encourage active youth participation and safeguard steady tree growth, resulting in the restoration of 3,569 acres and contributing to a 74% increase in students' access to fruits and vegetables.

Mutasingwa flanked by Absa Bank Uganda, Marketing Director, Helen Nangonzi speaking to journalists. (All Photos by John Masaba)

Culture of responsibility

Absa Bank Uganda marketing director Helen Nangonzi commended My Tree Initiative for focusing their initiative on schools.

She said by encouraging young people to plant trees, they are incorporating within them a culture of responsibility and care for the environment, "which will reap tremendous benefits for their communities and the country as a whole."

Adekemi Ndieli, the UN Women's deputy country representative, said by 2050, climate change will push up to 158 million more women and girls into poverty and lead to 236 million more women into hunger across the globe.

This is why the organisation is "proud to be a valued partner in this programme contributing to environmental conservation and promoting gender equality by empowering young girls through education and engagement to grow their trees".