Absa Bank Uganda has announced a major environmental commitment to plant and grow 2 million trees over the next three years, reinforcing its long-term focus on climate action, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable community development.
The announcement coincided with the launch of the 2026 School Greening Drive in Northern Uganda, delivered in partnership with My Tree Initiative. As a key component of the broader target, the Northern Uganda programme will see 700,000 trees planted across 300 schools by December 2026.
The initiative was officially launched in Gulu, led by Deputy Mayor Christine Olok, highlighting alignment with national priorities on climate resilience and environmental restoration.
Under the theme “Growing 700,000 Trees in 300 Schools Across Northern Uganda,” the programme will engage approximately 150,000 students across 12 districts, including Gulu, Lira, Arua, Kitgum, and Adjumani. Tree planting activities will run from April to November 2026, culminating in a final event in Adjumani on November 11.
Speaking at the launch, Francis Topacho, Chief Information Officer at Absa Bank Uganda, emphasized the bank’s expanding environmental footprint:
“Expanding into Northern Uganda, a region facing increasing climate pressures, is a natural next step. This initiative reflects our commitment to climate action and to supporting the communities where we operate.”
Deputy Mayor Christine Olok welcomed the initiative, noting its contribution to national development priorities:
“By focusing on schools, we are restoring ecosystems while shaping a generation that understands the importance of environmental stewardship.”
The programme will incorporate geo-tagging technology to track and monitor every tree planted through 2027, ensuring accountability and long-term impact.
Additionally, more than 50 ‘Fruit Forests’ will be established in participating schools, featuring trees such as mango, avocado, guava, and jackfruit. These will provide both environmental and nutritional benefits to students.
Since 2023, Absa Bank Uganda and My Tree Initiative have already planted nearly 900,000 trees across 860 schools, engaging over 440,000 students nationwide.
To ensure sustainability, Green Club champions will be trained in each school to oversee tree care and promote environmental education, embedding long-term stewardship within communities.
