Seeta University has received 2,000 tree seedlings from Liberty Life Assurance Uganda in partnership with Climate Hub International as part of a campus-wide tree planting initiative aimed at environmental restoration and long-term monitoring of planted trees.
The seedlings will be planted across the university’s more than 100-acre campus under a coordinated plan involving both the university and project partners.
Liberty Life Assurance Uganda Managing Director Joseph Almeida said the initiative is part of the company’s environmental focus under its ESG framework in which the company will donate 5,000 seedlings to different universities around the country.
"We have decided to collaborate with institutions of higher education on tree-planting initiatives, and we chose Seeta University as our starting point. We plan to target other universities for tree planting as the year progresses. Our primary goal is to create a pollution-free environment through afforestation,” he said.
He said the intention is to ensure tangible results from this project.
"We have implemented a triangulation method to record the specific types of trees planted and their exact locations. This allows us to coordinate the project geographically and track our progress precisely. This is a major step forward for Liberty Life Assurance Uganda as we deepen our commitment to environmental sustainability," Almeida said.
Acting Vice Chancellor for Seeta University, Dr. Maurice Tamale confirmed receipt of the seedlings and said the university would oversee their planting and survival.
“Seeta University has a strong agricultural component, and when Liberty and Climate Hub approached us, we were grateful for their initiative,” Tamale said.
“We have received 2,000 trees, which will be planted across different parts of the university. We will establish a team to supervise and ensure the trees grow.”
He added that the university would work with partners to replace any seedlings that fail to survive.
Climate Hub International Uganda Country Lead Dr. Clinton Mawanda said the initiative is part of a longer-term climate education and monitoring programme.
“This is not a one-off event but a continuous three-year initiative designed to advocate, train and teach the public how to manage climate catastrophes and mitigate global warming,” Mawanda said.
He said the project would also involve periodic monitoring of tree growth and survival.
Dr.Mawanda said the target is to integrate climate action frameworks into academic curriculums.
"We are focused on breaking down the environmental, social and governance framework. People often hear about climate frameworks, but we want to breathe life into them. Today, Liberty Life Assurance has begun implementing the environmental component through tree planting. It is important to remember that this project is about growing trees, not just planting them. This is where Climate Hub International brings value. We ensure successful growth by tracking progress through the tracking placards .These placards capture the geographical area and polygon location, the unique seedling codes, and the specific tree species. This system shows how Liberty is actively giving back to the community and supporting higher education," Dr.Mawanda added.
He said Climate Hub International will return to the university every two to three months to monitor growth, collect data and report progress to Liberty about the trees.
"If any seedlings fail to survive, Climate Hub will coordinate with Liberty to replace them. Furthermore, businesses like insurance companies inevitably contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide and methane, through corporate vehicle fleets and daily operations. Through this initiative, Liberty is moving away from superficial claims and toward verifiable environmental impact. Regulators increasingly require businesses to present carbon credit permits to offset their economic footprint."
"After three years, Liberty will be able to demonstrate that the trees planted through this initiative have absorbed a verified amount of atmospheric emissions, securing tangible carbon credits and proving their genuine commitment to the planet."
