absa: 90, 000 students across 183 primary schools to plant 120, 000 trees  

absa Bank Uganda, Rotary Uganda, and My Tree Initiative Organization have launched a school greening program to engage 90,000 students in planting and nurturing 120,000 trees across 183 primary schools.

With the theme “Sustainable Growing of 120,000 Trees in Primary Schools,” the program aims to combat climate change and promote environmental education within school communities.

The official launch took place yesterday, Oct. 29, at Namalere C/U Primary School in Kagoma, Wakiso District, where approximately 3,000 trees were planted. Attendees emphasized the importance of involving schools in environmental conservation.

absa Bank Uganda’s Managing Director, Mumba Kalifungwa, reiterated the bank’s commitment to sustainability, stating, “As Absa, our strong focus is to promote positive change within the communities we serve through impactful initiatives like this.” He added, “Addressing societal challenges like climate change calls for a united front, with each of us having a vital role to play.”

Reflecting on the initiative’s past successes, Kalifungwa noted, “As we focus on trees, we are excited to have this successful partnership branch out and expand our impact within the community. This is all a continuation of last year’s work with My Tree Initiative, which already saw the restoration of over 3,500 acres of forestland. This translated to a 74% increase in student access to fruits and vegetables for better nutrition in a healthier environment.”

Rotary Uganda’s District Governor (D9213), Anne Nkutu, affirmed Rotary’s dedication to environmental conservation: “Rotary has seven areas of focus, and protecting the environment is one of them. We recognize that 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, which enables us to increase our impact.”

Enjer Ashiraf, Executive Director of My Tree Initiative, expressed gratitude for the partnership, saying, “Absa has supported us on engaging fellow young people to plant and care for trees for three years now, and we are grateful to welcome our newest partner, Rotary, on board.”

Ashiraf added, “Together, we are integrating environmental education into school curriculums and nurturing future champions of our planet, engaging students in hands-on tree planting activities, improving their diet, and creating a sustainable learning environment.”