Buyende, Uganda: Schools in Buyende District have been urged to embrace tree-planting activities to mitigate climate change, restore green cover, and conserve the environment.
The call was made by Gloria Namakula, Lead Climate Change Officer at She Leads, during the launch of the Girls Peer Mentors Greening Warriors Clubs campaign at Innula Primary School on Wednesday, an initiative that targets planting 1,000 trees at students’ homes and 500 within school compounds.
“We are happy to initiate the Green Warriors Greening Clubs in schools as pioneer agents of climate change advocacy. The climate crisis is real, and both at school and home we should preach the gospel of tree planting,” Namakula urged.
Namakula also emphasized girl protection, calling for safe spaces and equal opportunities for girls, noting that they are often vulnerable while collecting firewood.
Emma Bala, Plan International She Leads advocate, stressed the importance of the greening campaign amid firewood scarcity, charcoal production, natural disasters, and unpredictable weather. “We are taking critical and right steps in restoring forest cover, conserving biodiversity, and promoting reforestation. We should embrace, popularize, and practically engage in it,” he said.
Bugaya Sub County Community Development Officer, Edrin Kitimbo, commended the initiative, noting that schoolchildren are ideal ambassadors for climate action.
“Schools used to have Young Farmers Clubs teaching about erosion, climate change, and afforestation. Children are the perfect target for practical lessons that they can take home,” Kitimbo said, urging schools to establish woodlots for firewood, tree windbreakers, and orchards for nutrition.
Rachel Mukyala, Head Prefect and chairperson of the Green Warriors Club, assured that students will actively plant trees at school and home for nutrition, income, and environmental protection.
“Take it from us, the Green Warriors. We have the time, energy, and eagerness to plant trees that will give us nutrition, income, and peace, while practicing what we learn in climate and environmental lessons,” Mukyala said.
The launch saw 123 trees planted within the school compound, with each student taking five trees home. The species included fruit trees, cover trees, and soil conservation varieties.
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