Uganda: Will the Green Crusade Take Off?

Kampala — WHEN Maria Mutagamba, the environment minister planted a ceremonial tree at Kumi to commemorate the UN World Environment Day two years ago, she did not know that it would be accorded scanty respect. But when she returned to check on her tree, what she saw was not pleasant.

"Can you imagine that the goats had eaten my tree?" says a visibly disturbed Mutagamba. "I could not believe that the place as bare as Kumi could afford to lose a tree carelessly like that."

It is not easy for government officials to promote the national tree planting campaign that is expected to start in March. The campaign is being spear-headed by Mutagamba and her two deputies, Jessica Eriyo and Jennifer Namuyangu to plant trees on International Women's Day (March 8), World Forestry Day (March 21), Labour Day (May 1) and World Youth Day (August 12).

Paul Asiimwe, a land management specialist at the National Forestry Authority (NFA), says: "It is an intervention you have to look at with sustainability in mind. How do you plant the seedlings and leave them to any body to care for them?"

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Tha Painting is by Benjamin William Leader

The community can promote tree-planting

FOREST conservation and tree-planting are rapidly attaining prominence on the international agenda as part of the efforts towards mitigating climate change and global warming.

Under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Prince Albert II of Monaco and Nobel Peace Laureate Prof. Wangari Maathati launched a plant for the Planet Campaign in 2006 with a target of planting seven billion trees world-wide by the Copenhagen climate change meeting of 2009.

In Uganda, the National Forestry Authority (NFA) and World Vision launched a national campaign at Nakasongola in October 2008 under-which 13 million trees will be planted by 2011.

Planting sites will include forest reserves, places of worship, schools, barracks, public parks and communities. The Minister for Water and Environment, Maria Mutagamba rightly urged local leaders and communities to protect trees and conserve forests in Uganda.

Sustaining tree-planting and conservation requires the involvement of local leaders and communities.

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The painting is by Nancy Merkle

Uganda should join global tree planting campaign

He who does not heed advice pays expensively. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) warns that over 80% of Uganda will become a desert in less than 100 years if the current climate changes are not addressed.

Global warming and Greenhouse gases have caused temperatures to rise, with south-western Uganda being the most affected. This is evidenced by the reduction of the water table in Mbarara, the declining of water levels in Katonga wetland system, Lake Mburo, River Rwizi, Kitagata hot springs, Lake Nakivale, the persistent droughts since 1990 and the decline in food production.

The FAO representative in Uganda, Percy Misika, says temperatures are still rising and over 80% of the country could turn into a desert soon. Unless the trend is reversed, global warming could rise to between 1.4 and 5.8 degrees Celsius by 2100 (The New Vision, September 18. )

We are already experiencing the consequences of environmental degradation.

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Bunyoro Kingdom in tree-planting drive

BUNYORO-KITARA Kingdom has launched a tree-planting campaign in an effort to prevent environmental degradation.

The Prime Minister, Dr. Aliba Emmanuel Kiiza, said they recently obtained funds from the UN Development Programme for the campaign that will cover Bunyoro region.

He was speaking last week after launching the planting of over 1,000 pine trees at Kagadi town in Kibaale district.
The premier, who represented the king, Solomon Gafabusa Iguru, said their plan was to turn Bunyoro into a green region to curb global warming.

Iguru went abroad on official duties.
On another matter, Kiiza urged the people of Bunyoro to plan how to benefit from oil exploration in the region instead of making “unnecessary noise” over oil shares.

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Uganda: VP Calls for Tree Planting in Karamoja

Vice President Prof. Gilbert Bukenya has called for a tree planting campaign in Karamoja to save the region from desertification.

According to a statement from the VP's office, Prof. Bukenya, who is on a two week tour of Karamoja to popularise the Prosperity for All programme in Moroto, Kotido, Abim and Kaabong districts, made the appeal while launching upland rice growing in Lolelia Sub-county in Kaabong District.


Prof. Bukenya said over grazing was one of the reasons for the impending desertification. He said reforestation will save Karamoja from becoming a desert.

"There was overwhelming demand for rice seeds from the women and youth who had already opened up their grounds for the planting season and were awaiting his arrival," the statement reads in part.

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Uganda: 88-Year-Old Man Plants Mega Forest

AT 88 years old, one would think Melchior Bakamuturaki would not consider investing in a forest that will mature when he is 100-if he makes it. But for this Bushenyi district Green, the passion for the environment is just beginning.

While many Ugandans shun tree business from which they believe they will never benefit in their lifetime, Bakamuturaki has planted six acres of trees and is looking for more land.

"I always had a liking for forests and now I have fulfilled my dream by planting a forest, which will mature in at least 20 years."

But there is an immediate gain from the investment. Bakamuturaki will make money from a new scheme in which farmers earn money from trees in a programme championed by a charity, the International Small Group and Tree-Planting.

"We have been working with farmers to plant trees that absorb carbondioxide emissions and reduce the risks of global warming," said Pauline Kalunda, the executive director.

"In return, the farmers earn money since their trees act as sinks for waste gases emitted by polluting industries," Kalunda says. The Bamuturaki initiative is good news as Uganda commemorates the World Environment Day today.

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