By KT Reporter
The Buganda Kingdom has launched a major environmental initiative to plant 20,000 indigenous trees on a 50-acre site in Lukungu, Kyotera District, as part of its broader Ekibira Kya Kabaka campaign aimed at restoring Uganda’s forests.
The project, supported by NCBA Bank Uganda, was officially launched at Bulange, Mengo, with the Kingdom emphasizing that environmental conservation is a central pillar of its 2023–2028 strategic plan.
Second Deputy Katikkiro, Robert Waggwa Nsibirwa, said the initiative reflects the Kingdom’s long-standing commitment to sustainable environmental practices and its partnerships with both public and private institutions.
“This partnership with NCBA Bank Uganda reflects our deliberate commitment to work with like-minded partners to restore and protect our natural heritage,” Nsibirwa said.
He emphasized that environmental preservation in Buganda is deeply embedded in cultural traditions. Tree planting has historically been tied to important ceremonies such as kwanjula (introduction of a bride), burials, and the installation of heirs.
“These practices show that conservation and sustainability are deeply rooted in our culture. Planting a tree is not just an environmental act, but a cultural statement about continuity, responsibility, and respect for future generations,” Nsibirwa said.
The Kingdom has previously collaborated with institutions such as the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to restore forest cover, and through the Ekibira Kya Kabaka programme, thousands of trees have already been planted across several hectares.
NCBA Uganda Managing Director, Mark Muyobo, described the partnership as more than a ceremonial exercise.
“This initiative reflects our shared responsibility to protect the environment for present and future generations. Strong partnerships between cultural institutions and the private sector are essential to delivering meaningful and lasting impact,” Muyobo said.
The project will focus on planting indigenous tree species to safeguard biodiversity, improve soil fertility, conserve water, and strengthen ecosystem resilience against climate change.
In addition to environmental benefits, the initiative is expected to create socio-economic opportunities for communities involved in tree management, while contributing to climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration. Uganda faces significant environmental challenges.
Since 1900, the country has lost about 41.6 percent of its forest cover due to agricultural expansion, charcoal burning, overgrazing, and reliance on wood fuel. Nearly 88 percent of Ugandans depend on wood fuel for cooking, placing immense pressure on forests.
“Addressing environmental degradation requires action, community involvement, and strong collaboration across government, cultural institutions, and the private sector,” Muyobo added.
Nsibirwa applauded NCBA for translating environmental commitments into practical action, noting that the Kingdom’s conservation efforts include tree planting in degraded forests, schools, and along roadsides.
“By joining hands, we are expanding these efforts and strengthening biodiversity protection across the region,” he said. The Ekibira Kya Kabaka initiative underscores the Kingdom’s vision of combining cultural heritage with modern environmental stewardship, promoting sustainability while protecting Uganda’s natural resources for future generations.
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