The Uganda Insurers Association (UIA) together with other partners have launched Mabira forest conservation campaign with the aim of restoring the depleted forest.
The event that took place at Mother Kevin College Schools in Mabira Buikwe District was attended by among others Insurance Brokers Association of Uganda (IBAU), Umoja Conservation Trust and the Kenya High Commission.
Speaking on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer UIA Jonan Kisakye, Annet Katusiime the Business Development Officer described the tree planting project as a risk mitigation measure.
“As UIA, we look at this campaign as a risk mitigation measure. We are aware that our forest has been depleted but we want to restore it by taking a bold step and planting trees. I want to commend the other partners like Umoja Conservation Trust and IBAU who are looking to implement the Greening school’s project.”
Katusiime challenged citizens to embrace the initiative and ensure sustainability of the environment across the country. She reaffirmed UIA’s commitment towards the noble goal of ensuring sustainability of the environment.
The Director Umoja Conservation Trust Bryan Toshi Bwana while addressing the conservatists noted that the project launched is under the Greening Schools Campaign, the first lady’s initiative under the Ministry of Education and Sports.
“We want to commend all our partners who have signed up to work with us on this mega project that seeks to conserve the environment. We want to restore our environment through teaching the young generation the relevance of planting trees.”
This campaign targets mainly schools and we hope that over 10 million trees can be planted across the different forests depleted across the country.” Bryan noted.
Mr. Richard Mutowa the First Chancellor from Kenya High commission who represented the Kenya High Commissioner to Uganda Retired George Owino, challenged EAC member countries to generate laws that uniformly criminalize logging.
“There is an urgent need to harmonize regulations against logging so as to curb tree cutting within the region. Currently Kenya does not allow logging yet Uganda has no law against this. It then becomes difficult for us as leaders to enforce the law.
The Kenya High Commission is committed and we shall always reach out when approached for such a noble cause.” Mutowa noted.
Jim Justus Nyamu the Director for Elephants Neighbors Center Kenya asked EAC to consider mapping to reduce human-wildlife conflicts around the parks which has seen an increase in the number of wild animals killed regionally as a result of encroachment.
“Tree planting is the first step and this will help us recover the lost vegetation which acts as the habitat for wild animals. Electric fences are expensive but it’s ideal to preserve our animals.”
Our leaders need to debate on policies that safeguard the environment rather than issues of selfish interest. We are moving across the region trying to create awareness about the need to conserve the environment and wild animals.” Nyamu said.
Source: The New Vision (Click here to view)
