By KT Reporter
In a step towards conservation and climate change resilience, American Tower Corperation, ATC Uganda, has partnered with the National Forestry Authority-NFA to restore tree cover in Oruha central forest reserve in Kyenjojo District.
The latest initiative saw 33,330 tree planted across 30 hectares.
The milestone brings ATC Uganda’s total contribution since 2021 to 73,330 trees planted in forests and reserves Currently ATC Uganda has towers in 45 central forest reserves with 50 towers occupying about 250,000 square meters in total.
Speaking at the lunch on Friday, the same day Kampala launched its campaign to plant 2,000 trees, Stuart Maniraguha, acting Executive Director of NFA applauded ATC Uganda’s leadership in environmental stewardship noting that the local people must now come in to grow the planted trees.
He said apart from conservation, ATC pays 2.6 billion annually in license fees.
Dorothy Ssemanada, the CEO of ATC Uganda noted that said they have planted over 73,0000 trees across the country noting that they focus to keeping doubling these numbers.
She noted that the company’s sustainability agenda is anchored on ESG principles and the science based targets initiatives focused on lancing nature, protecting biodiversity, safeguarding water catchments and building resilience for communities.
Kyenjojo distcrit vice chairperson Atuhaire Grace and the area RDC Ayesiga Julian Sarah pledged the commitment of the district to ensure the planation grows.
Uganda faces pressing deforestation challenges, losing over 80,000 hectares of forest annually with forest cover declaiming from 24% to 12,7% currently. The major causes are land conversion, population pressure and unsustainable practices. These consequences of soil erosion, biodiversity loss, water scarcity and climate extremes underline the urgency of reforestation efforts.
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