Mabira Forest : Activists Renew Efforts to Protect Uganda’s Largest Tropical Forest Amid New Threats

Renewed concerns have arisen over the depletion of valuable tree species in Uganda’s largest natural forest, located in Buikwe District. This issue, which first gained major attention in April 2007 due to the destructive impact of sugarcane cultivation, has resurfaced due to recent activities. The My Tree Initiative, supported by a coalition of partners, is spearheading efforts to preserve and restore the threatened ecosystem through the Schools Greening Program.

During the program’s launch at Najjembe Primary School in Lugazi Municipality, Buikwe District Woman MP and State Minister for the Vice Presidency, Diana Mutasingwa, highlighted ongoing illegal logging activities and urged the National Forestry Authority to intervene. Minister Mutasingwa emphasized the critical nature of deforestation, pointing to its far-reaching consequences on public health and stating, “It is so sad to see our trees being cut down.”

The Schools Greening Program, a collaborative effort involving entities like Absa Bank, UN Women, Crown Beverages, and the Uganda Journalists Association (UJA), aims to plant 300,000 trees in 300 selected schools across the eastern region by December 2024. This initiative seeks not only to replenish the forest but also to integrate environmental education into the school curriculum.

Patricia Erotu, delivering a message from UN Women Deputy Country Representative Adekemi Ndieli, praised the visionary tree-planting efforts and their role in fostering climate awareness among students. She mentioned UN Women’s commitment to promoting climate-resilient agriculture, which empowers women in local communities to mitigate climate change effects.

Hellen Nangonzi, Marketing Director at Absa Bank Uganda, expressed the importance of instilling a sense of responsibility in students to care for the environment. Similarly, UPDF Deputy Chief of Civil Military, Colonel Sam Ntambirwe, underscored the military’s dedication to maintaining green spaces as part of its conduct code.

Ashraf Ddumba, Executive Director of My Tree Initiative, explained that the Schools Greening Program aims to foster a generation that actively combats environmental degradation. He noted that the initiative has already established 81 green clubs in schools, enhancing youth participation in environmental advocacy and increasing access to fruits and vegetables by 74%, as many of the trees planted are fruit-bearing.

Ddumba also expressed gratitude towards Absa Bank for their support, highlighting the importance of such partnerships in promoting environmental sustainability in educational settings.