Oyo launches campaign to plant 10 million trees

The Omukama of Tooro, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru, on Saturday launched a campaign to plant 10 million trees in the kingdom as one way of preserving the environment.

During the launch at the Tooro Palace in Fort Portal, King Oyo said the move is aimed at combating drought that has been affecting the people of the kingdom following the massive destruction of wetlands and trees.

He said that the kingdom had partnered with the Rotary Club of Muyenga to plant the trees in the different parts of the kingdom.

"We need to plant more trees because the environment has been destroyed. Wetlands and forests are being destroyed at a very high rate," he said.

Oyo said that two million trees will be planted every year over the next five years in different parts of the kingdom.

He was also awarded the vocational award from the Rotary Club of Muyenga for his contribution to the health and well being of the people of Tooro and beyond.

King Oyo receiving the award from the Rotary Club of Muyenga president Gabriel Obbo. Photo by Wilson Asiimwe

The award was presented by Gabriel Obbo Katandi, the president of the Rotary Club of Muyenga, who led the team.

"Every year Rotary Club identifies people who have used their positions to help others and this year, we decided to award King Oyo with this highest award for his contributions," Katandi said.

Oyo, a United Nations goodwill youth ambassador in the fight against HIV/AIDS worldwide was reorganised for among others, organising annual health camps in different counties of his kingdom where people have received cataract surgery, club foot correction, and general treatment among others. These have benefited over 10,000 people over the last three years.

Bernard Tungakwo the prime minister of Tooro kingdom urged the people to focus on tree planting as one of the ways of combating the effects of climate change.

He said that if these trees are maintained well, they can promote environmental conservation programmes and mitigate climate change and that the tree species being planted include, among others, fruit and shed trees.

"There is a big deficit and it is evident when one takes any direction from Kampala. The land is bare and the effects of climate change are felt more due to the absence of tree cover. In Toro, it has not been raining for long because the environment has been destroyed," Tungakwo said.

Oyo thanked Rotary Club for recognising his efforts in championing health and urged his people and the nation at large to lead a healthy life and guard against any acts that destroy the environment.

He also warned against the dangers of global warming.