The Rotary Club of Entebbe Base has launched a tree-planting campaign to promote environmental sustainability in the area and across the country.
The 'Plant your balance' initiative aims to plant over 2,000 trees around local schools to foster a greener environment.
The launch was held at Airforce Secondary School in Katabi Town Council, Wakiso District, a school with 2,500 students, marking a significant move of planting over 200 tree species.
The project will also empower youths to focus on environmental protection, eco-tourism, and a greener economy.
Past District Governor (PDG) of District 9211, comprising Uganda and Tanzania (2017-18), Keneth Mugisha, said Rotary launched the initiative called 'Rotary Mission' years ago to respond to environmental concerns causing climate change worldwide and set solutions.
However, there is a need to empower youths, especially students, with ways to conserve and protect the environment.
"Through our Rotary 'Mission Green,' we have now embarked on empowering students to ensure they take care of the tree species we planted today. This signifies efforts by youths to protect and preserve the environment," PDG Mugisha emphasized.
"There is also a need to improve nutrition in schools; most trees we are planting are fruit-growing species, which will act as a source of food for students."
He commended Rotary International's efforts to push for its seventh area of focus environmental sustainability Rotarian action group, which has supported various projects promoting environmental sustainability.
"With youths being the majority of the population, we hope they will restore what other generations destroyed under the Rotary Mission Green," he added.
He urged relevant authorities to devise means of managing waste, including plastics, sewage, and water channels, among others, to preserve the environment.
According to the Charter President of Rotary Club of Entebbe Base, Barbra Nekesa, the project aims to promote environmental sustainability and offset carbon emissions posing a great risk to people in the country and worldwide.
She added that schools need compounds with trees to provide shade, comfort, and climate regulation for students, creating a healthier, more sustainable, and engaging learning environment.
The Rotary Club of Entebbe Base launched this initiative in commemoration of 100 years of Rotary's existence.