By Kenneth Wamatoyi
JINJA
Girls for Climate Change Action, in partnership with Dfcu Bank, has officially launched the Orchard Week 2025 tree planting campaign at Busoga College Mwiri.
The event took place on the school premises on April 8, 2025 and marked a significant step towards environmental conservation and youth involvement in climate action.
According to Kisakye Sandra, schools’ coordinator of Girls for Climate Change Action, the initiative was designed to educate students about the importance of environmental conservation and the long-term value of maintaining fruit trees for future generations. She further explained that the project aims to restore traditional fruit tree species that have disappeared from communities over the years.
“There is power in education,” Sandra emphasized. “Children and youth only need access to knowledge about the environment to develop sustainable habits within their schools and communities.”
She also highlighted that young women and girls are among the most affected by the impacts of climate change, yet they are often excluded from decision-making processes.
“Girls and young women, especially in rural and marginalized communities, are forced to travel longer distances to fetch water during periods of scarcity and collect firewood for cooking and lighting. They lack access to natural resource management, which limits their productivity, education, and participation in economic activities,” she said.
Rev. Zavia Chrestino, Deputy Head Teacher at Busoga College Mwiri, welcomed the initiative and underscored the importance of tree planting in preserving a clean and sustainable environment. He noted that orchard trees, along with other species, play a vital role in enhancing ecological balance and improving the nutritional well-being of communities. He also pointed to the urgent global need to tackle climate change, which has been significantly accelerated by environmental degradation.
Kenneth Nuwamanya, Regional Manager for Dfcu Bank in Eastern Uganda, expressed the bank’s strong support for the initiative. He explained that their involvement is part of a broader effort to promote sustainability and protect the environment. “Orchards, in particular, provide both environmental and nutritional benefits, making them a valuable investment for communities,” he noted.
Students at Busoga College Mwiri expressed enthusiasm for the initiative and committed to nurturing and protecting the newly planted trees to ensure their survival and long-term impact.
