Bwebajja Rotarians plant 1,000 trees

Jul 02, 2017

During the launch of the campaign on Saturday afternoon Peace Taremwa, the former assistant Governor for Kampala Rotary Club noted that the ‘Mission Green’ is intended to have about 5million trees planted across the country within the next 5 years

 

Rotary club members from Bwebajja, Wakiso District have planted 1,000 trees on different streets in Akright City Estates on Entebbe Road in a bid to conserve the environment in the ‘Mission Green' Campaign. The different streets where trees have been planted include Ficus street, Citrus and Sycamore among others.

 

During the launch of the campaign on Saturday afternoon Peace Taremwa, the former assistant Governor for Kampala Rotary Club noted that the ‘Mission Green' is intended to have about 5million trees planted across the country within the next 5 years to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change such as prolonged drought as well as global warming.

Incoming President of the Rotary Club of Bwebajja Patrick Kawooya talking to the New Vision reporter. Photo by Tony Rujuta

 

 

He also said Rotary Club will has is in final stages of partnering with institutions such as schools and prisons so that the club can plant there fruit trees, that will produce fruits for food as well as keeping environment green.

 

"Under this campaign, we are also in consultations with UNRA to have trees planted on the major highways to beautify them," he said adding there's need for people to use wood saver stones to reduce the over cutting of trees for charcoal.

 

Taremwa revealed that the National Forestry Authority pledged to give Bwebajja Rotary Club Over 1200 trees in August this year and when delivered more places will be covered. He asked the public to plant more trees especially in their homesteads.

 

On the same day, the new club President Patrick Kawooya was installed replacing Daniel Ssetubo who served in the 2016-2017 term.

 

Kawooya said all the 12 villages in Akright Estates are to be covered in tree planting before the programme is rolled in other parts of the city as well as the entire country.

 

He said Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom has given the Bwebajja Rotary Club about 100 acres for tree planting and soon the two parties will sign a memorandum of understanding on how and when to cultivate them.

 

"We shall harmonize on which age they should be harvested and they must make sure that more are planted so that the environment remains clean," he said.

 

He highlighted on some of the programs that he intends to promote under his tenure as the president and they include provision of clean water to slum areas, free medical services (through medical camps) as well as community cleaning.

 

On his part, Ssetubo asked locals in the neighborhoods where trees have been planted to maintain them in good state through watering areas around them and pruning them after they have grown.

"It's not simply planning, people in the neighborhoods should ensure that they look good through caring for them," he stated.

 

Anatoli Kamugisha, the Managing Director Akright Estates hailed Rotary Club for choosing Akright as the starting point for the Mission Green program that involves planting of trees. He asked them to extend the program to other areas.

 

Godians Ahaisibwe, one of the Rotarians said many trees are being cut without replacement countrywide and this may in future affect people and production levels. He said there's need for continuous sensitization on re-afforestation so that global warming doesn't take place.