The Church of Uganda has unveiled an ambitious plan to plant 15 million indigenous trees across the country as part of a nationwide environmental conservation drive that will also anchor celebrations marking 150 years of the church’s existence in Uganda.
The announcement was made at the Provincial Secretariat in Namirembe by the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Samuel Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu, who used the occasion to decry escalating environmental degradation and call for urgent collective action.
Archbishop Kaziimba criticized what he described as reckless exploitation of natural resources, warning that continued destruction of forests, wetlands, and water catchment areas threatens not only livelihoods but also the spiritual and moral fabric of society.
“God entrusted His creation to humanity with great care. When we destroy the environment, we undermine that sacred trust,” the Archbishop said, cautioning that Uganda will face more severe climate-related consequences if harmful practices persist.
He emphasized that environmental stewardship is a shared responsibility and urged Christians across the country to actively participate in tree planting and conservation efforts. The Archbishop specifically directed bishops and clergy to dedicate sermons—particularly during the ongoing environmental month—to themes of ecological preservation, sustainable living, and restoration of degraded ecosystems.
The 15 million-tree campaign will prioritize indigenous species to promote biodiversity, restore ecosystems, and enhance climate resilience in communities increasingly affected by erratic weather patterns.
In addition to the tree-planting drive, Archbishop Kaziimba called upon Parliament to enact legislation establishing a national community clean-up day. Under the proposal, citizens—including leaders at all levels—would participate in organized clean-up exercises within their localities as a civic and moral duty.
The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, who attended the event as Guest of Honor, welcomed the church’s intervention in environmental advocacy. He noted that religious leaders often command greater trust and moral authority among citizens than political actors.
“Many Ugandans listen more attentively to religious leaders than politicians,” Tayebwa observed, encouraging the church to continue using its platform to mobilize communities around environmental protection and responsible stewardship.
The initiative forms part of the broader activities commemorating 150 years since the arrival of Christianity in Uganda under the Anglican tradition, a milestone the Church of Uganda says should not only celebrate its spiritual heritage but also reaffirm its commitment to social transformation and sustainable development.
As climate change impacts intensify and environmental concerns grow across the country, the church’s large-scale mobilization effort signals a faith-based approach to conservation—one that seeks to blend spiritual responsibility with practical environmental action