From Banking to Botany: Centenary Bank's 15 Million Tree Campaign

This initiative forms part of the bank's ESG agenda intending to reduce its carbon footprint and actively contribute to the Sustainability goals. By actively engaging in these sustainable activities, Centenary Bank aims to increase environmental awareness, foster a culture of responsible citizenship, and contribute to the overall well-being of communities.

The conversation on climate change is ripe and being the largest Indigenous bank in the country, Centenary Bank continues on a remarkable endeavour to support afforestation in the country with the aim of environmental conservation and scaling back on climate change.

Climate change has had a profound impact on various regions in Uganda, causing environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, and increased vulnerability to natural disasters. According to the Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (2021), Uganda ranks 13th most vulnerable country in the world to climate change and 160th out of 192 nations in readiness to confront the threat. These alarming statistics highlight the urgent need for concerted efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change and promote sustainable practices.

In the year 2023, Centenary Bank partnered with like-minded institutions and cities like Roofings Group, Mt. Elgon Tree Growing initiative, Masaka City, Mbale City & Kasese to plant a total of 14,689 trees. This was done proactively to avert the effects of adverse climate change aligns well with this year’s focus areas on land restoration, stopping desertification and drought resilience.

This initiative forms part of the bank's ESG agenda intending to reduce its carbon footprint and actively contribute to the Sustainability goals. By actively engaging in these sustainable activities, Centenary Bank aims to increase environmental awareness, foster a culture of responsible citizenship, and contribute to the overall well-being of communities.

The tree-growing campaign has received widespread appreciation from various stakeholders, from the different cities where trees were planted, and communities affected by climate change. The positive impact of the greening campaign is expected to be far-reaching with new partnerships in the offing like the 15 million trees campaign together with Next Media.

Beatrice Lugalambi the General Manager, Corporate Communications and Marketing, has expressed enthusiasm about the initiative urging Ugandans countrywide to embrace afforestation to help conserve their environment. She expounded, "As a responsible corporate entity, we understand the critical importance of addressing climate change. Our greening campaign represents our commitment to environmental sustainability and reflects our belief in creating a better future. By actively participating in this initiative, we aim to inspire positive change and contribute to the overall well-being of our society."

“Centenary Bank is very cognizant of the environmental challenges the rest of Uganda is facing today. Looking at the natural disasters we have experienced in the past in places like Kasese and Mbale, there is no better time to start this conversation than now,” Lugalambi added.

“Centenary Bank has so far cumulatively planted 19,889 trees in Masaka, Fort Portal, Kasese, Kumi, Pallisa, Mbale, Kyotera, Ntoroko and Wakiso Districts, with most being planted at river banks cognizant of different global and in-country natural disasters we have been experiencing, for example in Kasese and Mbale, where our brothers and sisters suffered heavy floods.” Lugalambi highlighted.

With this greening campaign, Centenary Bank sets an admirable example for other organizations, encouraging them to incorporate sustainable practices into their daily operations. By collectively embracing such endeavors, we can work towards a greener, more resilient future, mitigating the impacts of climate change and preserving the natural beauty of our beloved country.