Thursday, June 4, morning marked a big environmental turn as the Commonwealth Association of Uganda launched the re-afforestation process of Mabira Forest with 74 trees, which indicates the Commonwealth participating Nations and Territories.
In the Commonwealth Forest initiative, the association is partnering with the implementing partner Uganda’s Little Hands Go Green, the National Forest Authority(NFA), the Ministry of Water and Environment, together with the Parliament of Uganda.
Becoming more applicable, little ones were chosen from Mother Majeri Primary School, Bweyogerere, and Sir Apollo Kaggwa Primary School, Kisaasi, to represent the exercise.
The official launch of this Commonwealth Forest Initiative was well graced with the president of Commonwealth Sport, Dr Donald Rukare, flanked by the Member of Parliament for Bulambuli constituency, Hon. Emmanuel Biara Wapukhulu (representing the Speaker of Parliament),
The event also attracted the attendance of officials from the Ministry of Water and Environment, Uganda Olympic Committee, officials from Uganda’s Little Hands Go Green, pupils, their teachers, the Mubango Najjembe Local Council 1, represented by chairperson Safiyi Magomu, and local residents.
The 74 indigenous planting is just an open initiative aiming to take on tree planting on 7 acres reserved in Mabira forest, which is arguably the largest natural rainforest in Uganda and the entire East Africa, with an estimated covering of 74,000 acres.
Since its establishment in 2012, Little Hands Go Green has mobilised millions of children and communities across Uganda with the support of prominent leaders, including H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, His Majesty King Oyo of Tooro, and the Katikkiro of Buganda Kingdom, Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga, former Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Jacob Oulanyah (RIP), Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among, and Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere, among others, on environmental conservation activities, including tree planting, climate education, and ecosystem restoration.
