The Rotary Club of Acacia Sunset Uganda, in partnership with National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and Uganda Museum, is to plant five million trees as part of the efforts to restore green cover and promoting sustainable practices in Uganda.
Dubbed ‘Mission Green’ , the five-year strategic project is spearheaded by the Rotarians of Rotary District 9211 comprising of Uganda and Tanzania and is aimed at protecting the environment and reduce the adverse effects of climate change and improve the livelihoods.
Speaking at the project launch at Uganda Museum Headquarters in Kampala, the President of Rotary Club of Acacia Sunset-Kenneth Bwengye said that the plan to mobilize and plant over five million trees in an effort to restore ‘a more greener and health community’.
“Sustainability is about shared responsibility for mutual gains. Today, businesses, governments and communities have to work together to achieve any country’s strategic goals. As Rotary we aim at promoting an agenda that meets the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations,” Mr. Bwengye said.
Deforestation is one of the major problems in Uganda which is demonstrated by decline of forest cover from 24% in 1990 to 11% in 2015, he added.
Under the Mission Green, Rotary Clubs partners with various organizations including city authorities, municipalities, and churches to plant and restore green cover as part of the environment efforts.
The efforts will take a countrywide stride and will include tree planting in various locations, environmental education and advocacy.
Environment is rapidly undergoing conversion, degradation, and declining in a totally unfriendly and uncontrolled manner.
Over the years Uganda has been facing challenges of encroachments and degradation of wetlands, forest reserves, falling quality and availability of water, improper waste disposal, erosion of soil and decline in soil fertility among others.
