Communities have been urged to embrace tree planting initiative as one of the major ways to promote environmental conservation to mitigate harsh climatic change.
Speaking last evening during the MTN Earth Hour celebrations held at St Joseph’s Munteme TECO Technical Institute in Kinywambeho village, Munteme parish, Kiziranfumbi sub-county, Kikuube, Andrew Byakutaga underscored the importance of embracing afforestation to communities.
Byakutaaga revealed how the region has been affected by harsh climatic conditions as a result of environmental degradation, where forest covers have been depleted.
He noticed that as a result the entire region has been affected in different economic activities including agriculture but also human wellbeing.
“So we really see it crucial for communities to plant trees especially in areas where forests have been degraded,” he said.
With appreciation, also noted that the government has set ambitious targets to restore 2.5 million hectares of degraded land by 2030 and has launched initiatives to encourage tree planting and forest conservation.
According to the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Uganda’s forest cover has increased to 13.9% from 8% in previous years, thanks to restoration efforts.
Ibrahim Senyonga, MTN General Manager for the Business Unit, said that MTN has partnered with WWF to promote environmental conservation through tree planting initiatives.
He noted that the company plans to plant trees on twelve (12) hectares of land to help restore the natural forest at Munteme TECO Technical Institute, adding that the initiative will spread across the Bunyoro region.
Proscovia Annet Mugisa, the Head of Natural Resources in Kikuube district, said that the district has intensified different efforts to protect the environment.
As another way to mitigate climate change, she noted that the authorities have taken firm action, including arresting some LC1 chairpersons accused of facilitating encroachment on wetlands and forests.
Annet further urged farmers to adopt fast growing crops as a strategy to cope with the effects of climate change which has become a threat to agriculture.
Rev Fr Joseph Bakale Senyonga, the Director of St Joseph’s Munteme TECO Technical Institute, urged different stakeholders to join efforts in developing forests and promoting eco-tourism initiatives being undertaken by the institute.
Silver Muhumuza, the LC3 chairperson of Kiziranfumbi sub-county, urged residents to plant more trees in their homes as a way of addressing environmental changes and combating climate change.
