Absa Bank Uganda in collaboration with Bishop Stuart University Mbarara, commemorated World Earth Day on Monday by planting 500 trees.
The initiative spearheaded by Absa Bank’s Business Banking Director Albert Byaruhanga brought together Absa staff, university staff and students and aimed to demonstrate the institution’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
World Earth Day is a global event held annually to advocate for environmental preservation. This year’s theme is “Planet vs Plastics” which aims at bringing attention to the serious issue of plastic pollution and how it harms nature.
Absa’s Byaruhanga expressed gratitude to Bishop Stuart University for partnering with them in the tree planting exercise, highlighting the importance of collective action in safeguarding the environment.
“We have planted 500 trees today in support of the great initiative of the World Earth day. Absa staff from Kampala and Mbarara are present and have volunteered their time and manpower to participate in this tree planting exercise. We believe that we must all play a role in conserving and restoring the environment to protect our quality of life” Byaruhanga Absa Bank Uganda.
Byaruhanga revealed that Absa’s Banks plan to plant 1 million trees over the next three years under their environmental sustainability efforts in their citizenship agenda. This initiative aims to mitigate climate change, reduce air pollution, and enhance the wellbeing of communities while preserving Uganda’s natural Environment.
“By being deliberate about planting trees, we are making an effort to lower temperature, reduce air pollution and in turn positively impact the health and livelihoods of communities while preserving Uganda’s natural environment and transforming Uganda’s tree cover for the better. We believe that through this engagement, we are going to inspire future generations of environmentally-conscious leaders in line with our purpose to empower Africa’s tomorrow, together, one story at a time” said Byaruhanga.
The Vice Chancellor of Bishop Stuart University Prof Gershom Atukunda expressed gratitude to Absa Bank for their corporate social responsibility, which included providing financial literacy education and contributing to environmental conservation efforts.
“On behalf of the University l extend our gratitude to ABSA bank for this valuable partnership in restoring the environment, rest assured, we are committed to nurturing the trees with utmost care as we are trying to restore the forest around River Rwizi,” said Prof Atukunda.
According to the National Forestry Authority, Uganda’s forest cover stands at about 1.9 million hectares, which is 10% of Uganda’s land cover area. The forests comprise both natural and established plantations. Natural forests include both tropical high forests and other naturally wooded land that falls within the definition of forest.