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Uganda’s Equator Green Belt Project, launched by NEMA and Uganda Martyrs University, aims to create a green corridor across nine districts. The project includes training residents in tree planting and environmental conservation.

Zed Kasule, the mayor of Kayabwe town council, planting a tree during the launch of the initiative

A project named the Equator Green Belt, aiming to establish a vibrant green corridor spanning nine districts along the equator in Uganda, has been launched.

This initiative, known as the Equator Green Belt Project, stretches from Kayabwe Town Council in Mpigi District to Kasese District in western Uganda, encompassing Kazo, Ssembabule, Bukomansimbi, Buvuma, Namayingo, Kitagwenda, and Ibanda districts.

The project is a collaboration between the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and Uganda Martyrs University (UMU). Both entities will support households and communities along the equator by facilitating the voluntary planting of indigenous trees, including fruit-bearing varieties.

Residents will undergo training in tree planting and management before receiving seedlings. Furthermore, participants will receive education on environmental preservation and sustainable agricultural techniques.

These efforts aim to combat climate change, protect natural habitats, and enhance the livelihoods of people residing within the belt. Notably, the trees will be owned by the households under the supervision of NEMA.

The project was officially launched on May 29 at UMU’s main campus in Nkozi, coinciding with the World Environment Day celebrations held in Sironko District on June 5, with the theme “Land Restoration for Climate Resilience.”

Police and Prisons representatives planted trees during the launch

Steven David Mugabi, the Commissioner for Environmental Affairs at the Water Ministry, represented the chief guest, Alfred Okot Okidi, the Permanent Secretary at the Water Ministry, at the launch. The event was attended by various dignitaries, including Dr. Barirega Akankwasah, the Executive Director of NEMA, and Fr. Dr. Christopher Mukidi, UMU’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor.

The community surrounding UMU plans to plant over 3,000 trees along the equator on the university’s land this month. The initiative aims to restore approximately one million hectares of degraded land and sequester one million tonnes of carbon dioxide.

Brother Aloysious Byaruhanga, the head of the Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) on Education for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), projects that the initiative will significantly enhance Uganda’s biodiversity, ecosystems, and climate resilience. Moreover, it will contribute to the tourism industry, thereby bolstering the country’s GDP and aligning with Vision 2040 and National Development Plans (NDPs).

Mugabi urged Ugandans to prioritize tree planting, wetland conservation, and sustainable agricultural practices. He emphasized the importance of sustainable resource utilization for the well-being of future generations.

Under the ROOT (Running out Of Trees) project, the Environment Ministry commits to planting 40 million trees annually, with seedlings provided by various partners and distributed to groups and individuals. Mugabi encouraged UMU and NEMA to prioritize fruit trees, emphasizing their role in promoting food security and benefiting entire communities. He cautioned against cutting down fruit trees, reminding the community that they are protected by law as government property.

Dr. Akankwasah highlighted the collective responsibility of everyone to conserve the environment, noting that this effort begins at home. He urged individuals to refrain from practices that exert unnecessary pressure on the land, such as improper waste disposal, the use of herbicides, deforestation, and the destruction of swamps. Akankwasah advocated for the implementation of eco-friendly practices at the household level, such as the use of compost pits for organic manure and the adoption of briquettes to reduce reliance on firewood and preserve forests.

Additionally, he emphasized the importance of proper waste management, including the disposal of plastics and other non-biodegradable materials in designated areas. Akankwasah highlighted the inefficiency of transporting useful materials to areas where they are not needed, citing the example of cattle being transported from upcountry to Kampala abattoirs, resulting in unnecessary environmental strain. He suggested slaughtering the cows locally to leave behind cow dung for farmers and transporting only the meat to urban areas.

Akankwasah stressed the significance of sustainable land use practices, stating that if utilized responsibly, the land can provide long-term benefits for current and future generations. He advocates for widespread tree planting, proposing that if every Ugandan planted a tree annually, it would contribute significantly to improving forest cover. Furthermore, he urged farmers to avoid harmful herbicides and instead prioritize the use of composted manure, which is both cost-effective and environmentally friendly. He cited examples from countries like Israel and Egypt, which utilize regenerative techniques to grow food in arid environments and even export their produce.

Akankwasah also encouraged individuals to opt for walking over driving whenever possible to reduce fuel emissions that contribute to environmental pollution. Reflecting on these principles, Brother Byaruhanga emphasized that embracing a green economy offers a pathway to poverty eradication, sustainable economic growth, and social inclusivity. He underscored the importance of collective action and individual responsibility in safeguarding the environment for the benefit of all.