Parliament of Uganda has pledged to advance environmental stewardship and climate action after officially joining environmental stakeholders, youth groups, and international partners to launch the Commonwealth Forest Initiative in Mabira Forest.
The initiative, unveiled during a ceremony held in the forest as part of Uganda’s preparations for hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games, aims to create a lasting environmental legacy through large-scale tree planting and community-driven conservation efforts.
The launch brought together Parliament representatives, environmental conservationists, government agencies, children, and development partners in a coordinated campaign that saw trees planted as symbolic representations of the 74 Commonwealth nations and territories.
A parliamentary representative said the legislature was committed to supporting policies that promote environmental protection and climate resilience, noting that Uganda is already experiencing the impacts of climate change.
“As custodians of the people’s will and well-being, we, the Parliament of Uganda, are unwavering in our commitment to championing policies and initiatives that robustly promote environmental protection, enhance climate resilience, and foster sustainable development across our nation,” the representative said.
The speaker cited floods, landslides, and prolonged droughts affecting different parts of Uganda as evidence that environmental conservation has become a matter of urgency rather than choice.
The initiative was spearheaded through collaboration with environmental advocates and organizers led by Joseph Masembe, Chief Executive Officer of Little Hands Go Green, working alongside the Commonwealth Games Federation’s climate action programme.
Participants at the event emphasized tree planting as a practical response to climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation, while also promoting youth engagement in conservation.
Organisers said the choice of Mabira Forest was symbolic, linking Uganda’s hosting of the 2026 Commonwealth Games to a broader commitment to sustainability and environmental protection.
They said the trees planted would serve not only as ecological restoration efforts but also as living symbols of unity and cooperation among Commonwealth nations in addressing global environmental challenges.
The initiative also seeks to extend beyond tree planting to include environmental education in schools, community conservation programmes, and increased public awareness of ecological responsibility.
Further collaborations are expected between Parliament, the Commonwealth Games Federation, and environmental organisations to monitor tree growth, support community engagement, and expand conservation efforts across the country.
The campaign concluded with a unified call for collective responsibility in environmental protection, underscoring the role of both government and citizens in building a sustainable future.