By Tony Achidria

The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) today joined the Ministry of Water and Environment, civil society, the private sector, and several schools across the country to commemorate the National Tree Planting Day, one of the flagship activities under the Running Out of Trees (ROOTs) Campaign.

Held at Busoga College Mwiri in Jinja, this year’s event attracted hundreds of participants, from pupils and students to government officials and environmental enthusiasts. The activity was held under the theme, “Revive, Restore, Sustain: Indigenous Species for Uganda’s Future.”

The Prime Minister of Uganda, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, who was the Chief Guest, was represented by Dr. Alfred Okot Okidi, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Water and Environment. NEMA was represented by Hajjat Aphwa Kawaase Sebyala, a Member of the NEMA Board, alongside a technical team from the Division of Environment Education and Advocacy.

The ROOTs Campaign is a nationwide movement launched in 2019 by the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) through the Forestry Sector Support Department (FSSD) in partnership with the private sector, civil society, and development partners.

The campaign seeks to plant at least one tree for every Ugandan annually, as part of the country’s commitment to the Bonn Challenge; which is a global pledge that was made in 2014 to restore 2.5 million hectares of degraded landscapes by 2030.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Okidi emphasized that tree planting is not just a one-day activity but a continuous national duty: “Planting a tree today is investing in Uganda’s future, in our rainfall, our soils, and the wellbeing of generations to come.”

As the agency mandated to coordinate, monitor, and supervise all environment management activities in Uganda, NEMA continues to play a central role in environmental education, advocacy, and awareness creation.

Through its participation in the ROOTs Campaign, NEMA is working to ensure that tree planting efforts are guided by sound environmental practices, encouraging the planting of indigenous species, promoting sustainable land use, and empowering communities to take responsibility for their surroundings.

Hajjat Sebyala, who represented the NEMA Board, commended the involvement of schools, noting that engaging learners early helps nurture a new generation of environmentally conscious citizens: “When we teach children to plant and care for trees, we are shaping custodians of Uganda’s future environment.”

The 2025 Edition of the Running Out of Trees Campaign aims to inspire Ugandans to restore degraded landscapes and protect existing forests, with a particular focus on indigenous species that are vital to biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. Its key objectives include:

• Creating awareness about the importance of tree planting, restoration, and sustainable land use.
• Training young people, especially students, on the fundamentals of tree growing and environmental responsibility.
• Promoting Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) as a cost-effective approach to biodiversity conservation.
• Strengthening partnerships across government, civil society, the private sector, and cultural institutions to scale up restoration efforts.
• Operationalising a digital Monitoring, Verification, and Reporting (MVR) system to track restoration progress nationwide.

By the close of the week-long activities leading to the National Tree Planting Day, the campaign expects to have 50,000 assorted indigenous seedlings planted and geo-mapped, which is a clear demonstration of Uganda’s collective commitment to forest restoration.

As Uganda faces the challenges of deforestation, land degradation, and climate change, initiatives like the ROOTs Campaign remind us that the power to heal our environment lies in our own hands.