By Gladys Mukisa.
Environmentalists under a consortium of business and social community clubs have initiated a call provoking various Ugandan city authorities to consider a proposal of enforcing the provision requiring every developer to include tree planting in their submitted plans, as one way of mitigating the growing effects of climate change.
The call was made by the Africa Air Rescue (AAR) Insurance Company CEO Christine Nassuuna during the ongoing Ugandan schools regreening campaign by My Tree Initiative, at Atlas High School in Gayaaza- Wakiso District.
Leading a tree planting campaign at the school campus, Nassuuna observed that tree planting in the cities is no longer easily achievable considering the emerging competing business interests by the property owners, at the expanse of environmental protection.
“When someone buys their piece of land to them they maximize it 100% either put up something commercial and the only part which is left is for parking, meaning that even when you approach different people they won’t allow you to plant trees”.
Recounting unpleasant experience under which one of their regreening initiatives had met a setback from some of the Kampala city dwellers that could hardly surrender portions of their property for tree planting, Nassuuna confirmed that tree planting in Kampala Central Business District (CBD) is elusive, thus complicating the efforts aimed at restoring green coverings.
“This is something authorities need to look into especially authorities that give us a go ahead to do house construction after land purchase. You find that someone is submitting a plan without a provision for a single tree in their plan. They believe that a tree isn’t valuable to them than a structure, that is why it is becoming very difficult to access land in the CBD to plant trees”.
According to Nassuuna, it is time city authorities began to enforce regulations providing for tree planting by the property owners in their spaces as it will ease any regreening efforts, but also aiding the environmental protection.
“It would be important for authorities to also look into that, like when we are also constructing our commercial blocs or houses we should leave space for green. They shouldn’t allow you to maximize all the space without leaving a space for green because even in the city we need green environment, but you only find fresh air when you move out of the city because it is polluted in the city”
Rotarians Join the Cause.
Speaking during the same occasion, Dr. John Kameri, the unity president rotary club of Namugongo, noted that environmental protection is not a favor since everyone is depending on it, warning, if there’s no tree, none will ever exist.
Referencing Genesis 2:15 biblical scripture, Dr. Kameri challenged the populace to always be mindful of their stewardship role, emphasizing the need for their duty of care over the environment.
“We’re seeing floods in Kampala, why, because of destruction of environment”, He stated.
Kameri further called for environmental advocacy by all stake holders including learners as a principle supported by all religious doctrines, saying, through such initiatives a culture of environmental stewardship within the children will be inspired.
The Centenary Bank representative from Gayaaza branch Agnes Nakajjumba cautioned learners against neglecting the nature as it may push Uganda from losing her attractive current façade beauty.
Atlas High School Gayaaza Head Master Ronald Wasswa urged for collective protection of the planet by considering tree planting , before he could call for an expanded noble cause to a wider external academic community.
My Tree Initiative Hails School Regreening Campaign.
My Tree Initiative Executive Director Ashraf Ddamba revealed that 1000 trees were planted there in a bid to create a school orchard.
Ddamba encouraged learners and teachers through their green clubs to ensure that the planted trees aren’t exposed to any condition leading to their extinction.
“Please water, prune them and when they die, call us to replace them so that we can realize the impact we’re planting them for”.
