Absa Bank Uganda has in collaboration with Bishop Stuart University Mbarara, commemorated World Earth Day with a tree planting event, bringing together Absa staff, university staff and students to plant 500 trees.
World Earth Day is held to annually advocate for environmental preservation and this year’s theme is planet vs plastics which aims at bringing attention to the serious issue of plastic pollution and how it harms nature.
Absa Bank’s Business Banking Director Albert Byaruhanga said the initiative aims to demonstrate the institution’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
“We have planted 500 trees today in support of the great initiative of the World Earth day. Absa staff from Kampala and Mbarara are present and have volunteered their time and manpower to participate in this tree planting exercise. We believe that we must all play a role in conserving and restoring the environment to protect our quality of life,” Byaruhanga said.
He said that Absa plans to plant one million trees over the next three years under their environmental sustainability efforts in their citizenship agenda.
Byaruhanga noted that this initiative aims to mitigate climate change, reduce air pollution, and enhance the wellbeing of communities while preserving Uganda’s natural environment.
“By being deliberate about planting trees, we are making an effort to lower temperature, reduce air pollution and in turn positively impact the health and livelihoods of communities while preserving Uganda’s natural environment and transforming Uganda’s tree cover for the better. We believe that through this engagement, we are going to inspire future generations of environmentally-conscious leaders in line with our purpose to empower Africa’s tomorrow, together, one story at a time,” said Byaruhanga.
The Vice Chancellor of Bishop Stuart University Prof Gershom Atukunda applauded Absa Bank for their corporate social responsibility, which included providing financial literacy education and contributing to environmental conservation efforts.
“On behalf of the University l extend our gratitude to Absa bank for this valuable partnership in restoring the environment, rest assured, we are committed to nurturing the trees with utmost care as we are trying to restore the forest around River Rwizi,” said Prof Atukunda.
According to the National Forestry Authority, Uganda’s forest cover stands at about 1.9 million hectares, which is 10% of Uganda’s land cover area.
