NCBA, Buganda Kingdom partner to boost environmental conservation

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Buganda Kingdom has intensified its forest restoration campaign with the signing of a partnership with NCBA Bank Uganda to plant 20,000 indigenous trees under the Ekibira kya Kabaka initiative.

Speaking during the signing of the partnership held at the Kingdom at Bulange Mengo, the Second Deputy Katikkiro, Robert Waggwa Nsibirwa, said environmental conservation remains a central pillar of the Kingdom’s 2023–2028 strategic plan and is being pursued through deliberate partnerships with both public and private institutions.

“This partnership with NCBA Bank Uganda reflects our deliberate commitment to work with like-minded partners to restore and protect our natural heritage,” Nsibirwa said during the launch at Bulange, Mengo.

He reiterated that environmental preservation in Buganda is not a new agenda but one deeply embedded in the Kingdom’s cultural values and governance systems.

According to Nsibirwa, the Kingdom encourages tree planting at both family and community levels during important cultural events such as Kwanjula ceremonies, burials and the installation of heirs.

“These practices show that conservation and sustainability are deeply rooted in our culture. Planting a tree is not just an environmental act, but a cultural statement about continuity, responsibility and respect for future generations,” he said.

Nsibirwa noted that the Kingdom has previously partnered with institutions such as the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to restore forest cover. Through the Ekibira kya Kabaka programme, thousands of trees have already been planted across several hectares of land.

Under the new agreement, 20,000 indigenous trees will be planted on 50 hectares of land in Lukungu, Greater Buddu County in Kyotera district.

Nsibirwa applauded NCBA for walking the talk through its Change the Story sustainability initiative, saying the bank’s environmental commitment is being translated into practical action.

Speaking at the same event, NCBA Uganda Managing Director Mark Muyobo said the initiative goes beyond ceremonial tree planting.

“This partnership reflects our shared responsibility to protect the environment for present and future generations. Strong partnerships between cultural institutions and the private sector are essential to delivering meaningful and lasting impact,” Muyobo said.

He explained that the programme will prioritise indigenous tree species to safeguard biodiversity, improve soil fertility, conserve water and strengthen ecosystem resilience against climate change.

Beyond restoring forest cover, the project is expected to create socio-economic opportunities for communities involved in tree management while contributing to climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration.

Uganda continues to face significant environmental challenges. Since 1900, the country has lost about 41.6% of its forest cover due to agricultural expansion, charcoal burning, overgrazing and reliance on wood fuel. Nearly 88% of Ugandans depend on wood fuel for cooking, placing immense pressure on forest resources.

Muyobo said tackling such challenges requires more than policy statements.

“Addressing environmental degradation requires action, community involvement and strong collaboration across government, cultural institutions and the private sector,” he said.

He commended the Buganda Kingdom for its sustained conservation efforts, including tree planting in degraded forests, schools and along roadsides.

The partnership has been described as a win–win collaboration that reinforces the shared responsibility of institutions to protect Uganda’s natural heritage while promoting sustainable development.