Hon.Hellen Adoa, former State Minister for Fisheries and Woman Member of Parliament for Serere District with KDI members.

By Charles Akeru
SERERE DISTRICT — Communities across Teso Subregion have been urged to emulate the environmental conservation practices promoted during British colonial rule by embracing tree planting and wetland protection as the country prepares to celebrate its 64th Independence Anniversary.

Hellen Adoa, former State Minister for Fisheries and Woman Member of Parliament for Serere District, made the call during the first anniversary of Green Kyere, an initiative aimed at raising awareness about environmental conservation and climate change through tree planting.

The event was held at Akuoro Olupe Primary School in Kyere Sub-county, Serere District, and brought together community members and environmental stakeholders to promote sustainable environmental practices organized by Kyere Development initiative (KDI)

Adoa said Uganda should draw lessons from past environmental conservation efforts and revive the culture of planting trees in schools, health facilities, sub-county headquarters and other public institutions.

She cited the efforts of Semei Kangulu, who championed tree planting across various government administrative units, including schools, health institutions and sub-county headquarters.

According to Adoa, such initiatives demonstrate the importance of making environmental conservation a shared responsibility among communities and public institutions.

She also applauded the legacy of Ejoku Kapir, a former head teacher from Ngora District, who prioritized tree planting in the schools he managed during his time in educational leadership.

Adoa cited Atiira Primary School in Kapir Sub-county and Olupe Primary School in Kumi District as examples of institutions associated with the tree-planting efforts.

She noted that the practices of these environmental champions should inspire the current generation to take practical steps towards protecting the environment, particularly as climate change continues to threaten livelihoods.
Climate Change Linked to Food Scarcity

Adoa warned that environmental degradation and changing climatic conditions were contributing to famine and food scarcity, stressing the need for communities to adopt conservation measures to safeguard food production.

She urged residents to embrace tree planting, protect wetlands and avoid practices that undermine the environment.
The former minister emphasised that environmental conservation should not be treated as an activity for a single day but as a continuous responsibility requiring the participation of communities, schools, local leaders, government agencies and other stakeholders.

As Uganda marks 64 years of independence, she called on citizens to reflect on the country's environmental heritage and take deliberate action to preserve natural resources for future generations.
NFA Donates Tree Seedlings

The first anniversary of Green Kyere was marked by the donation of more than 7,000 tree seedlings of different species by the National Forestry Authority (NFA).
The seedlings are expected to be distributed to various community groups to support tree planting and strengthen environmental conservation efforts in the area.

The initiative is intended to encourage local communities to take an active role in restoring tree cover, mitigating the effects of climate change and promoting sustainable land use.
Stakeholders at the event were urged to ensure that the seedlings reach the intended groups and are planted and maintained to achieve lasting environmental benefits.

Stakeholders Urged to Sustain Kangulu's Legacy
Adoa called on community leaders, educational institutions, environmental organizations and government agencies to uphold Kangulu's legacy by integrating tree planting and environmental protection into their activities.
She stressed that sustaining such efforts would require collective responsibility, continued public awareness and a commitment to protecting wetlands and other natural resources.

The first anniversary of Green Kyere provided an opportunity for stakeholders to renew their commitment to environmental conservation and encourage communities to take ownership of local climate action.
As Uganda approaches its Independence Anniversary, the message from Serere is that national development must go hand in hand with environmental protection, with tree planting and wetland conservation remaining central to securing a sustainable future.