NCBA Bank Uganda has partnered with the National Forestry Authority (NFA) to embark on an environmental sustainability journey to plant 20,000 trees in 2024, equivalent to 30 hectares. This campaign, under the bank’s “Change the Story” initiative, aims to restore degraded parts of the Jubiya Forest Reserve in Masaka district.
Tom Okello Obong, Executive Director of NFA, noted that Uganda has seen a significant loss in forest cover, with approximately 41.6% lost since 1900, primarily due to human and economic activities such as agriculture, wood fuel, and animal grazing. Despite efforts to plant trees, about 80% of Ugandans still rely on wood fuel for cooking. Uganda’s forest cover has seen a severe decrease from 4.9 million hectares (24%) to 2.5 million hectares (12.4%) over the last 25 years.
To address this situation, the Ministry has launched a nationwide tree planting campaign called “Running Out of Trees” (ROOTs), which aims to plant and nurture 40 million trees annually. The campaign focuses on indigenous and fruit trees for their ecosystem and nutritional value, promoting forest protection, tree growing, reforestation, and afforestation across different landscapes.
NCBA Bank Uganda is taking proactive steps to address these pressing issues through its “Change the Story” initiative. One of the key pillars of this initiative is minimizing direct impact on the climate and amplifying tree planting programs. According to Mark Muyobo, CEO of NCBA Bank Uganda, the bank is dedicated to sustainability, extending beyond emissions reduction to include tree planting activities that deliver tangible and lasting benefits, such as carbon appropriation, employee engagement, and community empowerment.
Muyobo said that through strategic partnerships, direct financial support, and rigorous monitoring and evaluation, NCBA Bank Uganda aims to plant 10 million trees by 2030, making a lasting impact on the environment and communities. The bank has also eliminated single-use plastic from its operations, reflecting its dedication to reducing its environmental footprint and fostering a culture of sustainability within the NCBA community.
Muyobo added that the bank is committed to reducing its direct emissions by more than 50% by 2030, to be achieved through transitioning to renewable energy sources and exploring various system improvements.