KCB Bank Uganda, through the KCB Foundation, has planted 300 trees at Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort and Spa in Kigo as part of its efforts to promote environmental conservation and support climate action initiatives.
The tree-planting exercise, conducted in partnership with Serena Hotels and Climate Hub International, forms part of the bank's Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) agenda, which seeks to contribute to sustainable development through environmental stewardship.
Speaking during the exercise, KCB Foundation Business Development Manager Stephen Kibuuka said the initiative aligns with the bank's commitment to environmental sustainability and global efforts to address climate change.
"This activity is part of our ESG agenda, particularly the environmental pillar, which focuses on increasing tree cover in different parts of the country. It also aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 13 on Climate Action, which calls for collective action to combat climate change and its impacts," Kibuuka said.
He noted that the trees being planted today are intended to contribute to environmental protection and benefit future generations.
Climate Hub International, which is partnering with KCB Bank on sustainability initiatives, emphasized the importance of ensuring that planted trees survive and mature.
According to Fredrick Ssenyonga, Sustainability and Commercial Manager at Climate Hub International, environmental restoration efforts should focus not only on tree planting but also on long-term maintenance and monitoring.
"Tree planting is important, but tree growing is even more important. For every tree planted, records are maintained and monitoring is conducted every three months. The goal is to ensure that the trees survive and contribute meaningfully to environmental conservation," Ssenyonga said.
Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort and Spa Manager Duncan Lewa said the private sector has a responsibility to integrate environmental sustainability into its operations.
"As businesses grow, they must also take deliberate steps to reduce their environmental footprint. Tree planting is one of the ways we can contribute to environmental conservation," Lewa said.
He added that Serena Hotels has implemented several sustainability measures, including reducing the use of single-use plastics and adopting environmentally friendly alternatives such as glass water bottles and paper straws.
The latest tree-planting exercise contributes to KCB Bank Uganda's target of planting 15,000 trees across the country this year as part of broader efforts to mitigate climate change, enhance biodiversity, and expand green spaces.
Officials said the initiative demonstrates the role that partnerships between financial institutions, the hospitality sector, and environmental organizations can play in addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainable development.
