“Planting trees on designated pieces of land to create forests, within school compounds and along boundaries will also help protect school land from encroachers,” he said.
Mukono Diocese has launched a major environmental conservation campaign aimed at planting 385,000 trees over the next two years in response to a call by the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Dr. Stephen Samuel Kazimba Mugalu, urging Christians across the province to grow 15 million trees.
The nationwide initiative was announced through a circular sent to all dioceses by Archbishop Kaziimba Mugalu, unveiling a flagship campaign dubbed “15 Million Trees for 150 Years: A Legacy of Stewardship for a Greener Future.” The program forms part of preparations for the Church of Uganda’s 150th anniversary celebrations scheduled for 2027.
“In that regard, for the next two years, we will deepen our legacy in environmental conservation,” the circular reads.
The campaign is intended to mobilise the entire church province, including communities, partners and other stakeholders, to participate in tree-growing efforts aimed at protecting the environment and promoting a more sustainable planet.
According to the Mukono Diocesan Director of Planning and Development, Deborah Zawedde Ssetyabula, each diocese has been assigned a target of planting 385,000 trees within the two-year period.
Zawedde explained that the plan will be implemented in phases, with the diocese expected to plant approximately 192,000 trees annually.
“This phased approach allows for effective planning, community participation and sustained environmental impact,” she said.
Mukono Diocese officially launched its tree-planting campaign at the Mukono Diocese School of Nursing and Midwifery (MUDI-SONAMS) in Kisowera village in Nama Sub-county. The launch event brought together various stakeholders, including representatives from education, banking and agriculture-based institutions.
Zawedde said most of the trees will be planted on land owned by church-founded schools and churches across the diocese. She also encouraged individuals to respond to the archbishop’s call by planting trees within their communities during the two-year campaign period.
Environmental experts have also welcomed the initiative. Dr. Damalie Babirye Magala, a researcher at the Mukono Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MUZARDI), said tree planting plays a critical role in environmental restoration and community wellbeing.
She explained that trees support both ecosystems and livelihoods by providing food, fuel, timber and medicinal resources.
However, Magala emphasised that planting trees alone will not solve environmental challenges unless communities are also educated about protecting them.
“Cutting trees causes significant environmental damage, including increased greenhouse gas emissions, loss of biodiversity and disruption of water cycles,” she said. “It also leads to soil erosion, floods, habitat destruction and accelerated global warming.”
Church leaders believe the success of the campaign will depend largely on the involvement of young people, especially those in schools and training institutions.
Rev. Henry Katumba said students are expected to play a key role in the initiative by participating in planting and nurturing trees within their communities.
Nathan Kigongo, the headteacher of St. Andrews Ndwaddemutwe Seed Secondary School in Kimenyyedde Sub-county, said many church-founded schools possess large pieces of idle land that could be used for tree planting.
“Planting trees on designated pieces of land to create forests, within school compounds and along boundaries will also help protect school land from encroachers,” he said.
Students attending the launch also highlighted the need for schools to take a more active role in environmental protection.
Speaking on behalf of students, Juliana Etho Tenda, a midwifery student at MUDI-SONAMS, observed that schools often contribute to deforestation through their demand for timber and firewood.
She called on the government to introduce a policy requiring schools to establish sizeable forest reserves within their compounds.
According to Tenda, institutions should be allowed to harvest trees once they mature, provided they can demonstrate that new trees have been planted to replace those cut down.
She also encouraged young people to view tree planting as a potential business opportunity that could create employment.
“Young people can establish tree nurseries and plant trees such as eucalyptus, which can later be harvested and sold as poles,” she said. “If the trees are allowed to grow longer, they can also produce quality timber. Fruit trees can also generate good income.”
Through the campaign, church leaders hope the initiative will not only restore degraded environments but also inspire communities to embrace long-term environmental stewardship.
By encouraging schools, churches and households to plant and nurture trees, the diocese believes the program will contribute to climate resilience, improved livelihoods and a greener future for generations to come. 🌱🌳
