Kampala, Uganda | Absa Bank Uganda has partnered with Rotary Uganda and My Tree Initiative to initiate a schools greening program that aims to involve 90,000 students in planting and nurturing 120,000 trees across 183 primary schools. The initiative, titled “Sustainable Growing of 120,000 Trees in Primary Schools,” is designed to combat climate change and foster environmental education within school communities.
The program was officially launched at Namalere C/U Primary School in Kagoma, Wakiso District, on October 29. During the launch event, around 3,000 trees were planted, underscoring the collaborative commitment to environmental conservation.
Mumba Kalifungwa, Managing Director of Absa Bank Uganda, highlighted the bank’s dedication to sustainability, stating, “As Absa, our strong focus is to promote positive change within the communities we serve through impactful initiatives like this.” He emphasized the importance of collective action in addressing climate change and expressed excitement about expanding their efforts to benefit the community. Kalifungwa noted that this initiative builds on last year's successful collaboration with My Tree Initiative, which restored over 3,500 acres of forestland, significantly improving students' access to nutritious fruits and vegetables.
Anne Nkutu, District Governor of Rotary Uganda (D9213), reiterated Rotary's commitment to environmental conservation, mentioning that protecting the environment is one of their seven areas of focus. “A healthy planet is critical for our existence and achieving all our other goals. Our greening efforts in Uganda began in 2017, and we welcome collaboration with private sector companies to enhance our impact,” she stated.
Enjer Ashiraf, Executive Director of My Tree Initiative, expressed gratitude for Absa's ongoing support in engaging youth in tree planting over the past three years. He welcomed Rotary as a new partner, emphasizing the importance of integrating environmental education into school curriculums. “Together, we are nurturing future champions of our planet, engaging students in hands-on tree planting activities, improving their diets, and creating a sustainable learning environment,” Ashiraf said.
This initiative represents a significant step towards fostering environmental stewardship among young Ugandans and addressing the pressing challenges posed by climate change.
