Over 50,000 trees to be planted in Teso under Rotary’s green sparks movement

Katakwi, Uganda: The Rotary Club of Katakwi, in partnership with Holy Homes Africa, has launched an ambitious tree-planting initiative targeting schools in Katakwi and Amuria districts under a new environmental drive known as the Green Sparks Movement.

The project, unveiled this week, aims to plant over 50,000 indigenous and economic tree species across primary and secondary schools in the Teso sub-region.

Holy Homes Africa founder Robert Otim said the movement is a flagship climate action effort delivered jointly by Holy Homes Africa, the Rotary Clubs of Soroti and Katakwi, and the Rotaract Club of Soroti University.

“We have launched three Green Sparks Movements in Katakwi and Amuria. This school-based campaign empowers youth through environmental stewardship, indigenous tree planting and climate-smart learning,” Otim said, noting that the project reinforces Uganda’s national climate goals.

The varieties distributed include Arabica coffee, soursop, jackfruit, avocado, African elemi (amadam), and palm oil seedlings, with Otim revealing that 30 schools are expected to benefit in the first rollout phase.

While speaking at Wera Seed Secondary School in Amuria, project coordinator Dr David Okiror, who also serves as President of Rotary Club of Katakwi, said the introduction of coffee seedlings seeks to challenge assumptions about the crop’s viability in Teso.

“We have brought coffee to Teso because we want to prove to the world that it can be planted, grown and harvested here. Government has prioritised coffee as a key product for improving the economy, and Iteso must embrace it,” he said.

Dr Okiror urged schools to jealously guard the seedlings, emphasising that tree planting is a long-term investment for future generations. He pledged regular monitoring of tree projects in the region.

Schools Welcome Hands-On Climate Project

At Wera Seed Secondary School, headteacher Hellen Grace Agadi said the initiative will significantly support the new competence-based curriculum by equipping learners with practical agricultural knowledge.

“Our students have been learning about coffee in theory, but they had never seen a coffee plant. This will improve performance because they will now learn by seeing and doing,” Agadi said. She added that their motorised water system will ensure irrigation during dry spells.

Katakwi High School headteacher Joseph Opule revealed that their 78-acre school farm will now accommodate tree plantations to strengthen hands-on learning, complementing the school’s existing livestock and poultry projects.

Rotary Club member Dr Kedi Rogers warned that human activity has worsened climate change impacts in Katakwi, citing floods and heavy winds that have destroyed crops and homes. “With this project, we hope to restore green cover and help rebuild the ozone layer,” he said.

Students Patricia Auma and Bernard Agwo expressed gratitude for the donation, saying the trees would combat climate effects, support livelihoods and reinforce environmental learning in schools.