As Uganda ramps up efforts to address climate change, the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF), under the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs, has partnered with the Iteso Cultural Union to implement environmental conservation initiatives across the Teso sub-region.
Led by Brigadier General David Gonyi, Chief of Staff of the Air Force Wing, the UPDF delegation met with cultural leaders at the Iteso Cultural Union offices to discuss collaborative approaches to environmental preservation.
Senior experts from the Ministry of Water and Environment also participated.
“You cannot be proud of titles like General or Bishop when the environment is in crisis,” Gonyi emphasized, reaffirming UPDF’s commitment to tree-planting campaigns and reforestation programs in climate-affected areas.
His Highness Paul Sande Emolot Etomeileng, Emorimor of the Iteso Cultural Union, welcomed the partnership, noting that poverty-driven activities like charcoal burning and brick-making have accelerated deforestation in Teso.
Andrew Ocole, the Union’s Prime Minister, added that by-laws targeting reckless deforestation had been enacted, but enforcement would be strengthened through UPDF involvement.
The collaboration aims to combine cultural influence and security oversight to promote sustainable environmental practices and curb further degradation in the region.