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KAMPALA - The Rotary Club of Muyenga Tankhill in Kampala has recognized a prominent environmentalist, Hajat Aphwa Kaawaase Sebyala also known as Maama Green with the Rotary Vocational Service Award.

The award, handed to her by two Rotary Past District Governors (PDG), Emmanuel Katongole and Mike Ssebalu was in recognition of her exemplary achievement, her role model, and her humanitarian activities as a champion of various causes.

Hajati Ssebyala, a professional insurer, also popularly known as Maama Insurance, is a women's activist, and an International climate champion, who is known to have initiated the ‘Annual Greening Fridays’, with the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council, with the campaign supported by British Council and the National Forestry Authority. 

Hajati Aphwa Ssebyala was awarded with Rotary Vocational Service Award by the Rotary Club of Muyenga Tankhill. (All Photos by Eddie Ssejjoba)

Hajati Ssebyala with, Past District Governors, Emmanuel Katongole (R), and Mike Ssebalu. Katongole was the guest of honor.

The campaign initiated in 2010 has so far distributed, planted, and grown close to 500,000 tree seedlings, out of her target of one million trees in 20 years.

She is also known to have formed the Gomba Women Environment and Development Group, which is impacting over 50 housewives and families plus the Gomba Green Brigade for the youth.

In her efforts, she has also initiated the ‘Annual Greening Days’ in Universities, and in Greening activities in prisons to plant more trees.

In her greening efforts, Sebyala has worked with some Rotarians to plant trees within their areas and has made the environment her way of life and has since received several local and international accolades for her greening works.

Speaking at the event, Sebyala said although she is not a Rotarian, whatever she is involved in speaks well for what Rotary does.

Speaking at the event, Sebyala said although she is not a Rotarian, whatever she is involved in speaks well for what Rotary does.

She said she chose to work in silence but her success is making a lot of noise, adding that a lot has been done and a lot was yet to be done.

“The success registered today is just a journey, we need to engage and register more success,” she said at a colorful event where she surprised the guests by engaging in a dance to show her gratitude.

She acknowledged that the Rotary standards were high and to have been recognized by the Rotary Club of Muyenga Tankhill was a great honor.

Hajati Ssebyala donated tree seedlings to Rotarians.

She donated some tree seedlings to the PDGs and other guests, saying that the effects of climate change do not discriminate against status, but affect all people equally.

“That is why I put on that role of environmental protection as my way of life,” she said and commended her families, Kaawaase and Ssebyala in Gomba for supporting her and
allowing her to excel.

The guest of honor, Rotarian Katongole described Sebyala as an optimum of business, with the power of entrepreneurship, through helping people to create businesses and making them work. 

“I have been following Sebyala on how she empowers people to excel in business, I
believe in the power of women and I have seen her pouring out entrepreneurship skills to women and many of them have excelled,” he said.

The function was attended by Rotary Club President-elect, Godfrey Kivumbi who represented the club President, George Lugalambi.