Ugandans have been urged to support preservation of forests and the environment at large by planting trees in their communities.
The call was made by Mr. Edward Ssebukyu, the commissioner for private schools and institutions in the ministry of education, while officiating at the Umeme’s tree planting exercise at Kyankowe Primary School in Mityana on Friday.
The fruit and eucalyptus tree project was conducted in conjunction with the Uganda Timber Growers Association on the 5.5 acres of land offered up by the school for the project to promote pupils’ interest and involvement in conserving their environment.
Mr. Ssebukyu also launched Umeme’s Safety Club at the school in commemoration of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work.
The club is the power distribution company’s proactive measure to ensure that the school embraces environmental conservation and treats electricity safety with top priority.
“Management of our forests should be supported by the best possible information. What Umeme is doing today is a significant contribution to the knowledge required for informed environmental management decisions. It is therefore my privilege to be part of this initiative, which is supplementing Government’s efforts in environmental conservation,” Mr. Ssebukyu explained.
The U-Green initiative according to Mr. Selestino Babungi, the Umeme Managing Director, was the company’s long-term CSR drive, launched in 2016 to implement tree planting activities as an avenue for mitigating the impact of climate change on the environment. The initiative is also intended to inspire community action on environmental conservation.
“Umeme believes that supporting the school to achieve this objective will cultivate a culture of environmental conservation and in the long run, inspire children, teachers and parents to effect positive change in their communities,” said Mr. Babungi.
Umeme collaborates with NGOs and schools through this initiative, to implement tree planting projects around the country. The activities are performed by members of staff from different departments.
