UPDF Amplifies Greening Uganda Campaign With Local Governments To Promote Orchard Farming And Environmental Conservation

The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) has today partnered with the Local Governments of Manafwa and Mbale districts to promote orchard farming and environmental conservation in the Elgon Sub-region with support of fruits & indigenous tree seedlings from Million Trees International Organisation (Greening Uganda Campaign).

The launch of fruit distribution and planting was conducted at the Military Police Barracks in Mbale City by UPDF and other Senior Government leaders.

Speaking at the function, the Resident City Commissioner (RCC) for Mbale City Mr. Ahamada Wasaki commended both the President and Commander-In-Chief of the UPDF Gen Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the entire UPDF leadership for conducting the last edition of the Defence Forces Week that realized the need for environmental protection in the Elgon Sub-region.

Mr Ahamada Washaki, the RCC for Mbale City (Blue suit) waters a fruit seedling after planting.

He said: ” We are here to enforce the Presidential Directive on environmental conservation and protection.”

The RCC called upon residents to work towards the promotion and protection of the environment since it’s now criminal to engage in unlawful activities like wetland encroachment and deforestation.

The Zonal Commander Lt Col John Luyima, who spoke on behalf of the UPDF 3 Infantry Division Commander Brig Gen Joseph Balikudembe, noted that UPDF will always stay committed to steering activities that cause the social economic transformation to the people of the Elgon Sub-region and beyond. “As UPDF we are delighted and remain focused towards the course for the promotion of fruit production and having a conducive ecosystem for our people,” he said.

Lt Col John Luyima, Zonal Commander, UPDF 3 Infantry Division, Rear plants a tree seedling at the Military Police Barracks.

He promised that the same activities would eventually roll out to other districts but in a phased manner.

His Worship, Mayor of Mbale City Namugali Cassim, appreciated the good gesture from UPDF of extending fruit tree seedlings to residents. He called upon beneficiaries to ensure the steady growth of all the seedlings.

City Mayor, Namugali Cassim plants a tree seedling at the launch

Mayor Cassim noted that besides environmental conservation, the fruit seedlings will benefit people in the Elgon Sub-region with food, are a health multiplier and have some economic value.

The region was recently hit by torrential rains causing loss of lives and property. “It’s very easy to cut a tree but sometimes difficult to destroy a fruit tree as it offers food,” His Worship Namugali Cassim scoffed.

The City Senior Environmental Officer Ms Nyaribi Rhoda, (SEO) who spoke on behalf of the environmental team alluded that besides fruit production and acting as windbreakers, the fruit planting initiative also helps to moderate climatic conditions and provides a good breeze for humanity.

Ms Nyaribi Rhoda City Senior Environmental Officer plants a fruit seedling

She explained that the Greening Uganda Campaign plan is targeting to plant over a million trees for each constituency, and aims at mitigating effects caused by climatic change. “As environmentalists, we are committed to ensuring that these seedlings are planted, watered and monitored,” Ms Nyaribi assured participants.

She also requested more fruit tree seedlings from UPDF.

The target beneficiaries for phase one tree seedlings distribution are Schools and organized communities in Mbale City, Mbale and Manafwa Districts with each Government administrative unit taking 1500 fruit seedlings.

The 5000 fruit tree seedlings that were earlier donated by MILLION TREE INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION company to support the 41st Army Week and Defence Forces Activities will be distributed and planted in selected areas around the Elgon Sub-region.

The availed organic species included: mangoes, Guavas, Avocados and jackfruits.

Also present at the launch of the fruit tree seedlings initiative included Mr. Banja Hamza (D/RCC Industrial Division), Mr Kagenyi Lukka (D/RDC Manafwa) and Ms Recheal Kakungulu from Million Tree International Organisation (Greening Uganda Campaign).

Ms Racheal Kakungulu from Millions Tree International Organisation holds a fruit seedling ready for planting.

“We greatly appreciate UPDF for being a very good partner. We shall sustainably work them under the One Constituency One Million Trees Program across this country with emphasis on accessing & utilizing all barracks lands. Local people involvement is very crucial in promoting Environmental Protection,” emphasized Dr Jibril Semakura Owomugisha, founding director of Million Trees International Organisation (Greening Uganda Campaign) via a phone call.

Others included: Mr Wotunya Peter Henry (Chief Administrative Officer, Manafwa), Ms Racheal Nambuya (District Education Officer, Manafwa) and Mr Waluku John Inspector of Schools, Mbale City, among others

CREATING A NEW FOREST IN MBALE, UPDF AND GREENING UGANDA CAMPAIGN TARGET 5000 FRUIT AND INDIGENOUS TREES